Panda war nearly sparked after Toronto councillor tells Calgary it's not getting cubs
Coun. Georgio Mammoliti says he misspoke
A Toronto councillor is apologizing for almost starting a聽panda war between Calgary and the Big Smoke.
Coun. Georgio Mammoliti told the Calgary Eyeopener on Thursday that聽the panda cubs born last fall at the Toronto Zoo聽were never intended to move to Calgary.
"You're not getting the cubs. Even if you want them you can't get them,聽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 zoo聽spokesperson, 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."
How confusing! Why did they get it so confused? Is Toronto going to thieve the babies!? 馃槸<a href="https://twitter.com/Graydio1">@Graydio1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/calgaryzoo">@calgaryzoo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCEyeopener">@CBCEyeopener</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/joececiyyc">@joececiyyc</a>
—@dori_is
Coun.聽Mammoliti said聽Calgary will聽indeed聽get the cubs for two years聽starting in 2018.聽
He says he intends to renegotiate the current contract with聽the Chinese government on behalf of both聽zoos to keep cubs Canadian Hope and Canadian Joy聽in Canada "forever."
Coun.聽Mammoliti's聽erroneous comments prompted one Calgarian to dust off this sweet 45 rpm聽released in聽1985聽to commemorate the visit of Qing聽Qing and Quan聽Quan to the Metro Toronto Zoo.聽
According to the sleeve, proceeds from the sale of the record went to the聽China Wildlife Conservation Association to "help save the pandas."
Thanks to the listener who dropped off this vintage Pandamania record from the Metro Toronto Zoo, released in 1985! <a href="https://t.co/UtPcTYuR1i">pic.twitter.com/UtPcTYuR1i</a>
—@CBCEyeopener