SEATTLE — Former Governor John Spellman is part of a group called the Washington State Panda Foundation that says China will be sending a team to start researching the idea of loaning giant pandas to a zoo in the state.
"If we can pull this off—and I think we can—I think it will be a symbol of cooperation," said Governor Spellman.
Ron Chow is also a co-chair of the foundation and said last month Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a letter to the foundation outlining plans to start research in cooperation with the State Forestry Administration of China.
"After I read the letter, I thought, oh my God I don’t think it will be that bad after all," said Chow.
Chow said that he worked with state lawmakers and members of congress to send letters to China—in support of the idea of bringing giant pandas to Washington.
He said so far about 40 state lawmakers and five members of congress have sent letters.
Chow added that there's no timeline as to how long it will take to bring the pandas here.
"Make no mistake. This is going to be a long, long process," said Chow.
He also said it's too early to say if the pandas will be housed at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle or Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma.
Chow said that China has to agree to loan the pandas, then the foundation will reach out to local zoos.
"We would love to have pandas at the zoo. It would be great for the people of the Northwest to be able to see and learn about pandas without having to travel to one of the few American zoos that have them now," said Alissa Wolken, spokesperson for Woodland Park Zoo.
She added, "But it is a very expensive idea. In addition to paying $1 million a year for 10 years to the Chinese government, there would be the cost of building or retrofitting a suitable exhibit for them, plus the cost of their special diet. We at Woodland Park Zoo would be happy to talk further with groups hoping to bring pandas here, but we are aware of the significant costs involved."
Chow and Spellman say they are confident that if China agrees to loan the pandas, fundraising to bring them here and house them should not be a problem.
They are also confident that there won't be much opposition to the plan.
However, Alyne Fortgang says she doesn't think any zoo in the state should display them.
"My heart sank. It's like, why don't we learn that animals suffer in captivity," said Fortgang.
She was part of the protest to try and get Woodland Park’s elephants to a wildlife sanctuary.
She says the zoo could have a giant panda exhibit without live pandas.
"I would rely on the experts in high tech holograms animatronic animals to put together an interactive educational exhibit," said Fortgang.
Chow and Governor Spellman say bringing live giant pandas here is much more than an educational display.
They believe the pandas will also help foster better trade relations between Washington state and China.
Chow expects the research team from China to visit Washington state sometime next year.