Special Report: Spring Festival Special 2009

    TAIPEI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Two giant pandas given by the Chinese mainland to Taiwan will go on public display on Monday, after completing a month-long quarantine period, said the Taipei zoo Friday.

    Quarantine staff had examined the pandas' temperatures daily since their arrival on Dec. 23, said zoo spokesman Jason S.C. Chin.

    "They had also tested their excrement three times and urine twice, and found no parasites or other diseases," he said.

    The 4-year-old pair, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan (when linked, their names mean "reunion" in Chinese), weighed 106.8 kg and 107.2kg respectively, he said. "Their intake of bamboo has increased moderately."

    The city government has invited 500 orphans and children from poor families to see them on Jan. 24, Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin said earlier this month.

    About 22,000 people are expected to visit the pandas each day after their formal debut on the Lunar New Year's Day. To accommodate the crowds, the zoo will stay open till 6 p.m. during the Lunar New Year holiday.

    The city government estimates the pandas will attract about 6 million visitors to the zoo annually, double the current number.

    The mainland announced in May 2005 that it would give two giant pandas to Taiwan. Their departure was delayed for more than three years. Improved cross-Strait ties made their journey to Taiwan possible.