San Diego Zoo prepares to debut new giant pandas in August

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Giant panda duo set to delight at San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo said it was "thrilled" as it prepared to unveil two adorable newcomers on August 8: one male and one female giant panda. (Credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance via Storyful)

The countdown is on as San Diego Zoo prepares to unveil its latest additions to the park on August 8: one male and one female giant panda.

Zookeepers said four-year-old Yun Chuan is known for his gentle demeanor while three-year-old Xin Bao is "very active, alert, witty, and an excellent climber."

Their arrivals herald a new round of giant panda conservation cooperation, after the agreements from the first round — which began around 1998 — ended in recent years. The ongoing difficulties in the U.S.-China relationship fueled worries Beijing was retreating from sending pandas abroad, but President Xi Jinping in November dispelled the worries with an announcement during a U.S. visit last year.

Storyful and the Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.