The giant pandas were born in the Wolong Panda Reserve – a conservation centre in China’s southwest Sichuan Province. They travelled securely from China to Hamad International Airport in custom-built crates. The pair first arrived on 18 October 2022 as a gift from China to commemorate the hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. They underwent a quarantine of 21 days with their keepers before they could meet the public. Qatar became the first Middle Eastern country to receive Chinese giant pandas.

The male panda was born on 19 September 2019 and received the name ’Suhail’ – one of the brightest stars visible in the Gulf region. The female panda was born on 26 July 2019 and was given the name ‘Thuraya’ – the name of the Pleiades star cluster. Both these names have great meaning in Qatari culture. Suhail weighs 130 kg and is four years old, while his female partner weighs 70 kg and is three years old. 

Every week, Al Khor Zoo airlifts 1000 kg of bamboo from the giant pandas' hometown, Sichuan Province of Southwest China, to keep them well-fed. While bamboo makes up 99% of a panda's diet, they also enjoy carrots, apples and traditional Chinese pancakes made from an ancient recipe.

Panda Park was designed to mimic the Minshan mountains of their homeland – the Chinese province of Sichuan. The two giant pandas will enjoy an air-conditioned sports ground, an indoor exhibition hall and separate bedrooms. The habitat also facilitates medical safety features, precisely controlled humidity levels and air-conditioning. There are swimming ponds, several play platforms, interactive landscapes, nursery facilities and a dedicated hospital for pandas. 

The resident panda experts here prepare everything in compliance with international standards and regulations of the Chinese authorities, Qatar and WAZA. China and Qatar signed a cooperation agreement on giant panda conservation and research to promote the conservation of endangered species and biodiversity.

Besides the spacious indoor viewing decks, the park has a garden pathway, outdoor booths, sculptural gardens, a bamboo forest trail and an audio-visual tower. You can stock up on panda souvenirs at the gift shop, enjoy something to eat at the café and make use of the prayer rooms. From Panda House, there is a connecting door to Al Khor Family Park and Zoo.