Pandas at Edinburgh Zoo to receive 1 millionth visitor

Tian Tian the female giant panda stands in her enclosure in Edinburgh zoo, August 9, 2013. A giant panda at Edinburgh Zoo is showing signs of pregnancy and could give birth within weeks to what would be the first cub from the rare species born in Britain, officials said. Photo/Agencies

EDINBURGH - Two giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang at Edinburgh Zoo will soon receive their millionth visitor, the zoo authorities said on Monday, two year after they first meet the public.

At their outdoor enclosures, the pair feasted on honey, carrots and apples to celebrate their imminent one millionth visitor who is expected to come over the Christmas period.

"Tian Tian and Yang Guang have certainly captured the hearts and imaginations of people throughout the United Kingdom and around the world," said Chris West, chief executive officer for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns and manages Edinburgh Zoo.

The zoo sought to include giant pandas as part of its collection as pandas are seriously endangered and Scotland's expertise in animal nutrition, genetics, embryology, immunology and veterinary medicine is believed to be able to add to their overarching conservation program, said West.

Edinburgh Zoo is home to Britain's only giant pandas, who arrived in December 2011 for a 10-year exchange program.

See more photos of Tian Tian and Yang Guang