U.S. Allows Ohio Zoo to Exhibit Two Pandas

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided to allow an Ohio zoo to begin exhibiting two giant pandas on loan from China while zoo officials work to produce the required export papers, the service said Monday.

Last week, the service said the Toledo Zoo would not be allowed to display the pandas until it could provide the original export permit.

The zoo plans to open the panda exhibit as scheduled today, spokeswoman Patty Napierala said. The zoo has spent nearly $3 million in preparing to exhibit the pandas as part of Toledo’s 150th anniversary celebration.