News

Pandas from China to be sent to San Diego Zoo for the first time in years

?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia times brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa7%2F67%2Ffe45ff324863908c67b6dc8e8eb1%2F1544696 tr sandiegopostcard 15

After years of anticipation, China is preparing to send giant pandas to the U.S. once again, rekindling the spirit of “panda diplomacy” between the two countries.

The China Wildlife Conservation Assn. has reached agreements with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the Madrid Zoo Aquarium of Spain to further giant panda conservation efforts, as reported by Xinhua, China’s official news agency.

In a news release, Megan Owen, vice president of wildlife conservation science at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, confirmed the partnership, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to continue collaborative conservation efforts to ensure the future of giant pandas.

The San Diego Zoo has not welcomed giant pandas since 2019, and the potential arrival of two pandas, one female and one male, by the end of the summer has stirred excitement. One of the female pandas being considered is descended from Bai Yun and Gao Gao, beloved pandas that used to reside at the San Diego Zoo.

Furthermore, China is in discussions with the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., to establish a future giant panda program, highlighting the ongoing commitment to fostering panda conservation and research.

For over five decades, China has loaned pandas to the U.S. as a gesture of goodwill, strengthening diplomatic ties. However, recent years have seen some pandas returned to China, leading to uncertainty about the future of panda loans.

In 2019, the San Diego Zoo bid farewell to its last giant pandas, Bai Yun and her son, Xiao Liwu, returning them to China. Similarly, the Memphis Zoo sent back its female panda in April, and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo returned two adult pandas, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, along with their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, in November.

Check Out Also: Search underway for suspect who ambushed and shot 3 Idaho corrections officers while transporting inmate from medical center

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hinted at the possibility of sending new pandas to the U.S., emphasizing their role as “envoys of friendship” between the Chinese and American peoples. Xi’s statement reflects a dedication to deepening friendly ties through the exchange of these iconic creatures.

The history of panda loans traces back to 1972 when Beijing first lent two pandas to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington. In subsequent years, Beijing expanded the lending program to other U.S. zoos, with proceeds supporting conservation initiatives.

Intellectuals Insider

+ posts

News

Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.