Panda News from around the world
Back on June 15th the Malaysian government signed an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), which will pave the way for the loaning of a pair of Giant Pandas to Malaysia.
The agreement was signed by Peninsular Malaysia’s director-general of the Wild Life Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), Abd Rasid Samsudin and the secretary-general of CWCA Zang Chunlin.
The pair of Pandas will be loaned for a period of 10 years, and are expected to arrive within a year of signing the agreement.
I have received an update on my adopted panda Son An Di, (Real name Qing Shan)
Qing Shan:
Today Tian Tian and Yang Guang meet for the first time to do their panda duties.
The following is taken from the Edinburgh Zoos Facebook page
Edinburgh Zoo is reporting that Tian Tian Oestrogen is increasing whilst her progesterone is dropping which means that she is about to come into ovulation sometime next week either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Iain Valentine, Director of Research and Conservation, said:
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with Chinese President Hu Jintoa on Thursday, where one of the things they talked about was about Canada renting a pair of Giant Pandas for 10 years, which they agreed to.
Giant pandas have a reputation for sleeping and eating lots of bamboo, but today Edinburgh Zoo released a clip filmed by panda keeper Sharon Hatton that shows just how agile, strong and playful pandas really can be.
Edinburgh Zoo’s male giant panda, Yang Guang (Sunshine) went for a stroll outside and was delighted to discover a new climbing frame in his outdoor enclosure. (Video after the fold)
I just had to share this adorable video of Yang Yang of Vienna Zoo and her second Cub Fu Hu playing in the snow.
Simply wonderful.
Explore.org in coperation with Pandas Internation have set up 2 new Panda Cams at Bifengxia near Ya'an, Sichuan China.
Currently Panda Cam 1 Shows Yao Man and Panda Cam 2 show Yao Xin, Lu Lin and sometimes Fu Long can be seen in the background.
Edinburgh Zoo has released a video of what happened when Tian Tian came across a bale of hay that been put in her enclosure to play with.
Alison MacLean, panda keeper at Edinburgh Zoo said “We thought the addition of hay to her enclosure would go down well with Tian Tian – as it was all new smells for her! The fact we managed to capture the moment on camera is great and it makes for fun viewing. It really brought out the more playful side of her character - she loved it. She was throwing it around her enclosure, rolling around in it, rubbing her head in it and generally just thoroughly enjoying herself - it was brilliant to see her have so much fun with the hay!
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.