Panda News from around the world
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.
Velia Watts found these on youtube and shared the links on the Panda-fandom Worldwide Facebook page. Hope you enjoy.
I am very sad to report that Yong Ba has passed away at 11am on the 4th December.
Yong Ba is thought to of been born in 1983, She has given birth to 11 Cubs with 10 of them surviving include one of my "little girls" Jin Zhu who I looked after briefly in 2008.
She was captured on 26th September 1992 in Baoxing and has travelled around China to different zoos and parks.
The Edinburgh Zoo has released some photos of Yang Guang getting used to his new home and munching on some bamboo.
The photos were taken by Rob McDougall and are his full copyright.
Here are some photos and a video of the arrival of Tian Tian and Yang Guang at Edinburgh Zoo.
Yes we were there and cheered as they arrived and were quickly whisked inside the zoo.
I'm really looking forward to actually being able to see them in person on the 16th December 2012.
Well it's silly o'clock on Sunday 4th December 2011, and we're getting ready to go see Tian Tian and Yang Yuang arrive at Edinburgh Zoo.
Hopefully I have some amazing technology that will allow me to post some pictures almost live to the PandaNews.org Facebook page, so please have a look.
As all things technical I'm not promising it will work, but here's hoping.
Watch a video after the break, to see how a normal FedEx Plane was transformed in to the 'Panda Express' that will bring Tian Tian and Yang Guang to Edinburgh this weekend.
I've just been informed that the Edinburgh Zoo's new Giant Pandas are due to arrive at the main gates of Edinburgh Zoo at around 1:40 in the afternoon.
The zoo plans to give them a true Scottish welcome.
Is there anyone is the area that is planning on going? I'd love to receive videos / photos of the event.
The Edinburgh Zoo has reported that they have sold almost 1500 tickets in 24 hours to see the Giant Pandas which are arriving this weekend. Around 1/3 of the tickets have been kept back for visitors who turn up at the zoo on the day.
- NEWS RELEASE -
Pandas’ Arrival Sparks Surge of Advance Bookings at Edinburgh Zoo
The news that giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang will be arriving at Edinburgh Zoo on Sunday (4 December) has resulted in a surge of advance bookings from visitors eager to catch the first glimpse of one of the world’s most endearing animals.
If you're wishing to visit Tian Tian and Yang Guan some time soon, then you will need to make a reservation.
They will go on display from the 16th December 2011, Tickets are currently available from when they go on to display till 31 January 2012 from http://www.reserveyourvisit.com/visit . Tickets for later dates will be added in due course.
The site is very busy, and it takes a lot of patience, a lot of re-clicking to get the tickets.
I've just managed to book my tickets to see Tian Tian and Yang Guan on December 16th 2011.
See you then.
Is anybody else going?
I have just received an official notification from the Edinburgh Zoo, stating that Tian Tian and Yuan Guang will be arriving this Sunday, 4th December 2011.
Press Release:-
NEWS RELEASE
The Pandas Are Coming!
UK Arrival Date for Giant Pandas Officially Confirmed
as Sunday 4 December
Following months of global anticipation and excitement, the arrival date for Scotland’s first pair of breeding giant pandas has been confirmed as Sunday 4 December.
Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Pandas are arriving on December 4th 2011, according to the Scotsman.com. The zoo has not confirmed this, but it fits in with what we have been eagerly anticipating for the last 6 months.
The plan to obtain Tian Tian and Yang Guan started in 2008, when Edinburgh Zoo officials visited China to begin talks. Soon afterwards, the terrible earthquake of May 12th 2008 struck, putting plans on hold as the Wolong Panda Centre was all but destroyed and attention was turned to moving the pandas to Bifengxia and other centres around China.