San Diego, CA
San Diego Zoo debuts two giant pandas from China in key conservation partnership
A pair of pandas are making their big American debut.
Two giant pandas from China have officially arrived at the San Diego Zoo with the grand re-opening of their exhibit on Aug. 8.
The pandas, named Xin Bao and Yun Chuan, will live in the zoo’s newly renovated and expanded Panda Ridge, which is inspired by the landscapes of their native habitats in the Suchuan, Gansu and Shanxi provinces, according to the zoo’s website.
SAN DIEGO ZOO TO WELCOME PAIR OF GIANT PANDAS FROM CHAIN UNDER CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP
The bears, the first to enter the U.S. in 21 years, arrived safely on June 27, the zoo reported.
Yun Chuan, the almost 5-year-old male panda, is identifiable by his long, slightly pointed nose.
This photo released by the San Diego Zoo shows giant panda Yun Chuan, a male, on April 25, 2024, in the Sichuan province of China. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP)
His mother, Zhen Zhen, was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007. Yun Chuan is active, but is “known to be quite gentle,” said the zoo.
Xin Bao is an almost 4-year-old female recognized by her round face and fluffy ears.
Xin Bao’s name means “precious treasure of prosperity and abundance,” and she’s described as “very active, alert, witty and an excellent climber.”
OUTSIDE OF CHINA, PANDAS ARE ONLY FOUND IN THESE 5 ZOOS AROUND THE WORLD
The pandas’ arrival is the result of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 30-year partnership with conservationists in China, which aims to protect and recover giant pandas and bamboo forests.
“By uniting our strengths, we’re restoring flourishing populations and healthy ecosystems, so giant pandas can thrive,” the zoo states on its website.
In this photo released by the Xinhua News Agency, giant panda Xin Bao, a female, is seen on a tree at the Bifengxia Panda Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Yanan, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, on April 18, 2024. (Xue Chen/Xinhua via AP, File)
“In the exciting next step of our partnership, we’re working to improve overall health and resilience for populations vulnerable to extinction and loss of genetic diversity,” the statement continued.
‘Hope and prosperity’
Species conservation has been at the forefront of global efforts since the bears’ populations dwindled in the 1990s.
The San Diego Zoo built an alliance with China to “shift panda recovery from an uncertain future to one of hope and prosperity,” the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wrote in a June article.
PANDAS TO RETURN TO SAN DIEGO ZOO AS CHINA BRINGS BACK ‘PANDA DIPLOMACY’
The zoo welcomed its first giant pandas in 1996, making “critical” discoveries about the animals’ reproductive behavior as well as physiology, health, genetics, nutrition and habitat needs, according to the zoo.
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“We developed a giant panda milk formula, and together with our partners, other neonatal techniques that drastically increased survival rates for nursery-raised cubs from less than 10% to more than 90%,” the zoo wrote in an article.
In this photo released by the Xinhua News Agency, giant panda Yun Chuan eats at the Bifengxia Panda Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Yanan, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, on April 18, 2024. (Xue Chen/Xinhua via AP, File)
In 1999, the alliance also achieved the first successful artificial insemination of a giant panda outside of China.
The pandas, along with their U.S.-born babies, were sent back to China at the end of their 12-year loan agreement.
DC’S SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL ZOO TO WELCOME PAIR OF YOUNG PANDAS FROM CHINA
In 2016, the conservation status of giant pandas changed from endangered to vulnerable.
Now, the offspring of previous San Diego-raised pandas are returning to the U.S. to further conservation efforts.
The San Diego Zoo built an alliance with China to “shift panda recovery from an uncertain future to one of hope and prosperity,” the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wrote in a June article. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
People visiting the San Diego Zoo can view the pandas for free, or they can book an early-morning walking tour that includes accompaniment by an expert guide and exclusive viewings.
As of Feb. 2024, Zoo Atlanta is the only other U.S. zoo to house giant pandas, including the first panda twins born in America in more than a quarter-century, according to the AP.
Giant pandas Yun Chuan (left) and Xin Bao (right) will live in the San Diego Zoo’s newly renovated and expanded Panda Ridge, which is inspired by the landscapes of the animals’ native habitats in the Suchuan, Gansu and Shanxi provinces. (AP)
The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is expecting the arrival of two young giant pandas by the end of 2024, Reuters reported in May.
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This is just months after the zoo returned three bears to China in Nov. 2023 amid heightened U.S.-China tensions.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance for comment.
San Diego, CA
California bishop who allegedly made several trips to Mexican brothel arrested at San Diego airport trying to flee US
A high-ranking California Catholic bishop who allegedly took more than a dozen trips to a Mexican brothel known for human trafficking and misused parish funds was arrested at San Diego International Airport while trying to flee the country.
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 60, a senior figure in the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, was arrested Thursday by San Diego Sheriff’s deputies following a months-long investigation.
“On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta was contacted and detained at the San Diego International Airport attempting to leave the country,” the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Shaleta faces eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white-collar crime, officials said.
The arrest comes after Catholic news outlet The Pillar reported last month that the bishop allegedly diverted rental payments from church property for personal use and later covered his tracks with charity funds.
Over $427,000 is unaccounted for — but the true number could be as high as $1 million, the outlet reported.
The Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that it was contacted by someone from St. Peter Chaldean Church in August 2025.
“The church representative provided a statement and documents showing potential embezzlement from the church,” it said, without elaborating.
The Pillar also obtained documents from a Vatican-ordered investigation into Shaleta that alleged the bishop regularly crossed the border from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico, to visit a strip club.
A private investigator documented Shaleta using a shuttle “exclusive to the club’s patrons” to visit the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in Tijuana, the outlet reported.
The Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club operates in Tijuana’s Zona Norte red-light district, an area that has long been scrutinized by law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations.
Prior reporting has identified the club by name in broader examinations of sex-industry operations in Tijuana.
There is no allegation that Shaleta was involved in trafficking activity.
Shaleta submitted his resignation to the Vatican in January as a result of the Vatican-ordered investigation.
Meanwhile, the priests of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle issued a statement expressing support for Shaleta.
“After hearing all of the critics and attacks against our eparchy and bishop, we ask the Lord to protect our eparchy and bishop from all of the negative attacks. We are in solidarity with our eparchy and bishop,” the statement reads.
“We are awaiting the decision on this matter. Please continue to keep this eparchy in your prayers and remain faithful to the salvific mission of Christ.”
The 60-year-old was booked into San Diego Central Jail and is being held on $125,000 bail.
San Diego, CA
Church Stabbing; Liquid Meth Seizure; Starvation Death Conviction: San Diego County Crime Log
SAN DIEGO, CA — Here is a collection of this week’s police, fire and courtroom stories from across San Diego County.
City Heights Parents Convicted Of Murder For 3-Month Old’s Starvation Death
Copeland and Ucman, who were 21 and 22 years old at the time of the baby’s death, were tried this year in one trial by two separate juries.
Find out what’s happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Ex-La Mesa Math Teacher Sentenced For Sex Crime Involving Underage Student
Michael Davis, 35, who taught at The Learning Choice Academy in La Mesa, was arrested last year.
Find out what’s happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
El Cajon Church Bishop Jailed On Embezzlement Charges
The regional law enforcement agency released no details on the circumstances that led to the allegations.
Man Injured After Pursuit In Stolen Jeep Ends In Crash In East County
Jesus Tizoc-Ocon, 18, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
The trucker died at the scene of the crash, officials said.
Multi-Vehicle Crash Snarls Traffic On I-5 Near Carlsbad
Traffic on southbound Interstate 5 was heavily congested from state Route 78 to Cannon Road, according to the CHP.
Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Suspected DUI Crash With Truck In Santee
A bystander and deputies provided first aid and applied a tourniquet to the rider to control bleeding.
Pedestrian Killed While Trying To Cross Highway In Oceanside: Police
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement, officials said.
Coast Guard Stops Boat With 14 Suspected Migrants Off San Diego
The panga-style vessel was stopped about 10 miles southwest of Point Loma, according to USCG officials.
Man Seriously Injured In Stabbing In Downtown Carlsbad
The suspect remains at large.
Boyfriend Arrested In Death Of Woman Found In San Diego Apartment
Officers reported seeing blood in several areas throughout the apartment.
Federal Jury Convicts Ex-San Diego County Deputy In Detainee’s Fatal Shooting
The trial was Aaron Russell’s second in federal court in connection with the shooting.
Man Accused Of Stealing Over $4K From Kohl’s Stores In San Diego County
Detectives found large quantities of stolen clothing when they searched his home and vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office.
Video Footage Of Non-Fatal La Presa Police Shooting Released
Officer Henry Ingram Jr. of the San Diego Police Department opened fire on Edwaun Walter Thames, 39.
Woman Airlifted To Hospital After Crash On 5 Freeway While She Changed A Tire
The woman was reportedly changing a tire on her car on the right shoulder when a pickup truck struck either her or her car, the CHP said.
Biker Suffers Fractured Femur In Crash With Vehicle In San Diego
A motorcyclist suffered a fractured femur during a crash with a vehicle in the Hillcrest community, authorities said.
E-Bike Rider Struck By Car In San Diego
He was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was treated for fractures to his vertebrae, jaw, multiple ribs and left wrist.
Man Fatally Struck By Hit-And-Run Vehicle In San Diego
The victim was also struck by a second vehicle and that motorist stayed at the scene to cooperate with officers, police said.
Police Investigate Church Stabbing In San Diego
A suspect believed to be in his late 20s was detained at the scene, then taken into custody without further incident, police reported.
San Diego Central Jail Inmate’s Death Ruled Accidental OD
The Sheriff’s Homicide Unit responded and was conducting an investigation.
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Remarkably, the San Diego State Aztecs can still win a share of the Mountain West title despite losing four of their last five games.
SDSU (19-10, 13-6) needs to beat UNLV (16-14, 11-8) on Friday night in its home finale and then have New Mexico win at Utah State on Saturday for a three-way tie.
The Aztecs had their destiny in their hands less than a week ago, but then lost at New Mexico (13-6) on Saturday and then again at Boise State on Tuesday night, pretty much snuffing out their NCAA Tournament at-large bid chances and apparently ending their hopes at the MW title in their final season in the conference.
But then Utah State (14-5) was routed at UNLV and New Mexico lost at home to Nevada, setting up the possibility of a three-way tie. It’ll be moot, however, if the Aggies beat the Lobos, which will give them the title outright and the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament in Las Vegas.
That’s life in the MW, which the Aztecs and Aggies are leaving after this season to join the new-look Pac-12, along with Boise State, Fresno State and Colorado State.
The big picture
The Aztecs were voted the unanimous preseason favorite to win the regular-season title, based on a loaded roster under coach Brian Dutcher, including the return of Miles Byrd and Magoon Gwath after pulling out of the NBA Draft, and Reese Dixon-Waters after missing last year with a foot injury.
But it’s been a rough go from almost the start, when a rough showing in the non-conference schedule put them on the bubble for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.
They started to find themselves early in league play by running off a seven-game losing streak, but then lost consecutive games at Grand Canyon and Utah State. Their current skid includes a surprising home loss to Grand Canyon and then a startling road loss to Colorado State.
They routed Utah State at home last week before losing at New Mexico on Saturday and then being routed at Boise State on Tuesday night, when they were outrebounded 37-15.
The last three games were all Quad 1 opportunities in the NCAA NET Rankings, but going 1-2 in those games further hurt their already weak chances at an at-large tourney berth. Those rankings are used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee as the primary sorting tool for selection and seeding for March Madness.
Now they’ll almost certainly have to win three games in three days at the MW tournament to claim the automatic bid to reach March Madness for the sixth straight year.
Key facts
The Aztecs will be facing UNLV for the final time in the regular season, as the Runnin’ Rebels will be remaining behind in the MW.
The teams will meet for the 86th time overall, with the Aztecs leading the series 45-40. SDSU is 21-14 against the Runnin’ Rebels in San Diego and 18-8 on Steve Fisher Court.
Below is a look at how to watch UNLV at San Diego State
How to watch UNLV at San Diego State
Date: Friday, March 6
Game time: 7 p.m. PT
Where: Viejas Arena | San Diego
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
How to listen: San Diego Sports 760 (local)
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