‘Pandamonium’ Reigns Near Zoo

Like international royalty, the giant pandas Shi Shi and Bai Yun arrived Tuesday at the San Diego Zoo in a high-security motorcade escorted by the California Highway Patrol and trailed by news helicopters.

The phenomena known locally as “pandamonium” was in full evidence as the charismatic mammals arrived for a 12-year visit for research, breeding and display purposes.

“This truly is the beginning of the North American rescue plan for giant pandas,” said zoo president Bill Fox at a news conference.

Some residents lined the streets leading to the world-famous zoo, hoping for a glimpse of the woolly black-and-white animals from China, which were kept hidden in crates inside a covered van.