Why are pandas so expensive to keep in a zoo?

For starters, per panda, zoos have to pay an annual rental fee to China that could be $1 million a year. Then, it costs an extra $400,000 if any cubs are born (and they must be returned–though not immediately). In addition, just the enclosure could run $8 million.



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The Chinese government, which gifted the first pair of pandas — Hsing Hsing and Ling Ling — to the U.S., now leases the pandas out for a typical 10-year renewable term. The annual fee ranges from $1 million to $2 million per pair, plus mandatory costs to build and maintain facilities to house the animals.

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Panda diplomacy is the practice of sending giant pandas from China to other countries as a tool of diplomacy. From 1941 to 1984, China gave a gift of pandas to other countries. After a change in policy in 1984, pandas were leased instead of given as a gift.

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The Chinese government, which gifted the first pair of pandas - Hsing Hsing and Ling Ling - to the U.S., now leases the pandas out for a typical 10-year renewable term. The annual fee ranges from $1 million to $2 million per pair, plus mandatory costs to build and maintain facilities to house the animals.

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With diplomatic tensions running high between Beijing and a number of Western governments, China appears to be gradually pulling back its pandas from multiple Western zoos as their agreements expire.

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  • In Berlin Zoo, Berlin, Bao Bao (1978–2012) was one of the first two giant pandas in Germany and became—for a time—the oldest known panda in zoos. ...
  • ZooParc de Beauval, Saint-Aignan, Loir-et-Cher, France is home to Huan Huan (F) and Yuan Zi (M) since 15 January 2012.


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All giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are the property of the Chinese government, and at the country's discretion, can be loaned to qualifying zoos around the world.

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With diplomatic tensions running high between Beijing and a number of Western governments, China appears to be gradually pulling back its pandas from multiple Western zoos as their agreements expire.

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Although pandas are rarely housed outside of China, you can still see them in person within the United States. These mystical bears currently live at only three select zoos, making each sighting a truly special experience.

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Beauval Zoo in the Loir-et-Cher department has been voted one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. In France it's famous for its giant pandas amongst much else. 35,000 animals from all over the world inhabit the zoo.

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The arrival of the pandas at the ZooParc de Beauval in 2012 marked the start of Beauval Nature's involvement in the conservation of this species. In 2016, Beauval Nature made a commitment to the Chengdu giant panda reproduction base to help finance the reintroduction of pandas in China.

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The arrival of the pandas at the ZooParc de Beauval in 2012 marked the start of Beauval Nature's involvement in the conservation of this species.

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And out of the 350 giant pandas, only a mere 50 can be found outside of China. As per reports, China has direct ownership over every living giant panda around the world, even if they might have been born in another country.

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The zoo claims that this is because of a three-year contract it has with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

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The pandas return to China when they reach old age and any cubs born are sent to China around age 3 or 4. The San Diego zoo returned its pandas in 2019, and the last bear at the Memphis, Tennessee, zoo went home earlier this year.

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