Singapore Zoo has started making preparations to receive two giant pandas in August 2011.

The zoo have already set samples of bamboo for two year old Hu Bao NameHu Bao Chinese Names沪宝 Stud Number200829 Date of Birth2008-Sep-03 SexFemale Current LocationCCRCGP Bifengxia Born atCCRCGP Bifengxia MotherZhu Yun - #549 Father and three year old Wu Jie NameWu Jie Chinese Names武杰 Stud Number690 Date of Birth2007-Sep-14 SexMale Current LocationCCRCGP Bifengxia Born atWOLONG MotherYe Ye - #495 FatherWu Gang - #502 to try, and will begin growing planting 8,000 square meters of bamboo plantation.

Singapore is warmer than what the pair are used to so specially built areas will keep them at temperatures they are more accustomed to.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore are also planning to start a breeding programme, and everyone is very confident that the pair will breed, when they reach around 7-8 years of age.

Singapore are also raising funds from local businesses with property firm "Capitaland" being the main sponsor.

The zoo is also planning a new attraction around the pandas called "River Safari" and is due to open to visitors in 2012.

The pair are currently based at Bifengxia, Sichuan, China and are being weaned off milk, and should be on mainly bamboo along with streamed bread and vegetables by the time they arrive in Singapore.

This seems a great time for pandas as more and more countries are interested in starting breeding programmes.