Panda News from around the world
Edinburgh Zoo Press Release:
Auspicious timings, to tie in with Burns Night and the Chinese New Year, Edinburgh Zoo will unveil the exclusive fine wool worsted Edinburgh Zoo Panda Tartan fabric to commemorate the arrival of Tian Tian and Yang Guang to their new home in Scotland.
The unique tartan was commission by Edinburgh Zoo with Kinloch Anderson, an Edinburgh based family company renowned for their kits, tartan and highland dress since 1868. The tartan has been approved by the Scottish Registrar of Tartans – emphasising the huge cultural significance of the pandas to Scotland.
It snowed recently in Vienna, and Fu Hu made the most of it. Video from Vienna Zoo after the fold.
Back in 2008 when I volunteered at Bifengxia in Sichuan, China. I looked after 3 Giant pandas, one of whom was Jin Zhu, I only spent a few days with her, as they thought she was pregnant and was transfered to the maternity ward. She didn't give birth that year. Though I did see the fetus on the ultra sound.
Congratulations to Alex Hubbard, from Surrey England for winning our goody bag give away. I'll get it in the post as soon as I can.
I would also like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Lets Hope 2012 is the year of the panda, with lots of good news about them.
Andi
I've just been informed by the Edinburgh Zoo, that the Panda Cam for Yang Guang has gone live.
Follow this link to see Yang Guang around the world.
Merry Christmas Everyone, or the Seasons best if you don't celebrate Christmas.
Press Release
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On December 23rd, just in time for Christmas, Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Pandas made their first highly anticipated appearance online live on video cameras…dubbed panda-cams!
Video after the jump.
As I mentioned in my main story about visiting Tian Tian and Yang Guang I was interviewed live on the BBC News Channel. Check out the clip after the break.
Edinburgh Zoo gave away Panda Goody bags to the first 50 visitors to see Tian Tian and Yang Guang
We managed to get an extra one and thought we should give it away on this site.
The goody bag includes a stick of rock with a panda image all the way through, a wrist band, a car window sticker and a fridge magnet. You can see the contents in the images, you will win the one in the green wrapping.
The Washington Post is reporting that the National Zoo in Washington DC has been promised $4.5 Million over the next 4 years so they can continue their Giant Panda reproduction program.
Well what a fascinating and busy few days. I never though I'd be opening the Panda exhibit and feature on TV and Radio.
Elspeth, one of our panda friends is a member of Edinburgh Zoo, and had the privilege to see Tian Tian and Yang Guang before the general public.
She sent along a few photos she took of the pair. You must agree they are beautiful.
Elspeth warns that the glass screen looking into their enclosure seems to be quite reflective, so take extra care when taking photos.
Many thanks for the photos Elspeth, and the warning about the glass.
I'm so looking forward to seeing them on Friday.
Update, The photos have now been deleted at the request of Elspeth.
This is a rather upsetting news story.
A Chinese native male who is currently living in Tokyo, Japan has been arrested for attempting to sell a mounted panda skin.
The man who is 40 years old and runs a restaurant in Ota-ku, Japan, claims that the panda is not his but belongs to a member of his family and he was storing it for them.
A Chinese couple claim that they were shown the panda by the man and was told that they could have the panda for 1 million yen to 10 million yen. Police offices in Tokyo have also found the panda for sale on the Internet.
