Panda war nearly sparked after Toronto councillor tells Calgary it's not getting cubs

A Toronto councillor is apologizing for almost starting apanda war between Calgary and the Big Smoke.

Coun. Georgio Mammoliti told the Calgary Eyeopener on Thursday thatthe panda cubs born last fall at the Toronto Zoowere never intended to move to Calgary.

"You're not getting the cubs. Even if you want them you can't get them,they're going back to China in 2018," he said.

Minutes after the interview aired, CBC Calgary received an email from the Calgary Zoo, disputing the councillor's comment.

"Just wanted to clarify that we have a very clear contract that states we will receive both adult pandas from Toronto as well as the two cubs," wrote zoospokesperson, Trish Exton-Parder.

Exton-Parder said the contract was signed by the CEO's of the Calgary and Toronto Zoos and the Chinese Government.

Shortly after, CBC Calgary received an urgent call from Coun. Mammoliti, saying that he, the mayor of Toronto and even the Premier of Ontario were misinformed.

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"I really apologize. There's been a huge misconception on, I guess, on the interpretation of the language. This was what we all thought was the case here in Toronto."

Coun.Mammoliti saidCalgary willindeedget the cubs for two yearsstarting in 2018.

He says he intends to renegotiate the current contract withthe Chinese government on behalf of bothzoos to keep cubs Canadian Hope and Canadian Joyin Canada "forever."

Twin pandas' names revealed as Jia Panpan, Jia Yueyue at their first public appearance

9 years ago

Duration 0:59

Newly named twin panda cubs Jia Panpan (meaning Canadian Hope) and Jia Yueyue (Canadian Joy) made their first public appearance at the Toronto Zoo today.

Coun.Mammoliti'serroneous comments prompted one Calgarian to dust off this sweet 45 rpmreleased in1985to commemorate the visit of QingQing and QuanQuan to the Metro Toronto Zoo.

According to the sleeve, proceeds from the sale of the record went to theChina Wildlife Conservation Association to "help save the pandas."