Pandas!

[GeneChing]

I was trying to get on to the San Diego Zoo's pandacam (http://www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/), but it was overloaded


Giant panda gives birth to fifth cub at the San Diego Zoo (http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/05/san.diego.panda/)

* Story Highlights
* Giant panda Bai Yun gives birth to fifth cub at the San Diego Zoo
* Bai Yun will care for the newborn by herself with zoo staff occasionally checking in
* Weighing around 300 pounds, Bai Yun is about 1,000 times the size of the cub

updated 7:57 a.m. EDT, Thu August 6, 2009

(CNN) -- A giant panda at the San Diego Zoo gave birth to a cub the size of a stick of butter on Wednesday, her fifth cub born in the zoo since 1999.
The public can view live video of the cub and its mother, Bai Yun, on the zoo's Web site.

The public can view live video of the cub and its mother, Bai Yun, on the zoo's Web site.

The sex of the mostly hairless, pink newborn, which was born around 5 a.m., is not known yet, said Dr. Ron Swaisgood of the zoo's Institute of Conservation Research.

It will take about one month for the iconic black-and-white coloration of the giant panda to become visible, Swaisgood said.

Its mother, Bai Yun, will care for the newborn by herself until she starts leaving the den regularly, at which time members of the zoo's giant panda team will step in briefly to check on the cub, he said.

"She is a very experienced mother. She raised all of her other cubs until about 1.5 years, the natural age for separation," Swaisgood told CNN Radio. "She's a real pro."

Weighing in around 300 pounds, Bai Yun is about 1,000 times the size of her cub, who weighs around 4 ounces., the typical size of a baby panda, Swaisgood said.

"Pandas give birth to what's called very 'altricial' cubs. That means they are very small and fragile. This cub would probably weigh about 4 ounces. It would be pink and hairless and completely dependent on the mother," he said.

The birth is considered a success for the zoo's Institute for Conservation Research, which works with research and breeding centers around the world to boost the endangered panda population

Herself a model of that effort, Bai Yun was the first panda to be born and survive at the breeding center of the China Center for Research and Conservation of the Giant Panda in the Wolong Nature Reserve in 1991.

She has given birth to four other cubs since arriving at the San Diego Zoo in 1996 from China. Two of them have since been returned to China, Swaisgood said.

The newborn's father, Gao Gao, is a wild-born giant panda that arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 2003 from the Wolong Nature Reserve. He will not be involved in raising the cub.

The cub will remain in the den with its mother for a few months and gradually start to come out as soon as it is able to walk, Swaisgood said.

In four to five months, the cub will be ready for the public, Swaisgood said. Until then, the public can view live video of the cub and its mother on the zoo's Web site.

"This highly endangered species still requires a lot of attention and assistance, but there is hope for the future," he said.

[uki]

hope the cub has better luck than my pekingese puppies... LOL... one was carried off by a hawk two years ago and the other one died because the mom stopped feeding it while we went away for the weekend. :)

[GeneChing]

In honor of KFP3 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?60650-Kung-Fu-Panda-3), here's a ttt.



JANUARY 15, 2016
Washington’s Panda Obsession (http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/washingtons-panda-obsession)
BY ROBIN WRIGHT

http://www.newyorker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Wright-D.C-Panda-Obsession-690.jpg
The National Zoo’s newest panda cub, Bei Bei.

When I was little, I wanted a panda for my birthday. Last August 22nd, which happened to be my birthday, the National Zoo, in Washington, sent out an alert on e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook: its female panda, the gentle Mei Xiang, had gone into labor. I signed onto the zoo’s Panda Cam just in time to hear an eek-y squeal from the back stall where Mei had built her nest. It was the birth yelp of a baby boy. A four-ounce butter stick, pink-skinned and blind, slipped from his mom’s womb and slid across the floor.

At a formal ceremony hosted by Michelle Obama, he was given the name Bei Bei (“Precious Treasure”). The former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright tweeted a selfie wearing a giant panda brooch. “Guess I’ll have to call it Bei Bei now,” she wrote.

The panda prince finally makes his public début this week. He’s now eighteen roly-poly pounds of black-and-white fur. He recently found his legs, and waddles, unsteadily, around the panda house. His eyesight is still weak. He keeps trying to climb up walls painted with mountain scenes, which he can’t distinguish from the real rock formations in his den. But he’s a spunky little guy. Bei Bei alternates between tagging behind his mom and pawing persistently at her to play, even after she swats him away. He’s particularly enamored of his first toy, a red ball that he likes to wrap his body around.

There’s something about pandas, the world’s rarest bear, that captivates the famous, turns the powerful into putty, and wins over skeptics. In 1956, Elvis Presley travelled with a huge stuffed panda on a twenty-seven-hour train ride from New York to Memphis. On the first leg, the bear was photographed in its own seat. At night, the photographer Albert Wertheimer later recounted, the bear was strapped into the upper berth in Elvis’ compartment, its legs protruding through the webbing, as Elvis listened to acetates of his recent recordings in the lower berth. The next day, Elvis, not yet a national icon, perched the bear on his hip and used it to flirt with girls as he strolled through a passenger car.

Chris Packham, a British naturalist and the host of a BBC wildlife program, has led a campaign to let the species die out, because of existential challenges in breeding, food, and habitat. There are only about sixteen hundred pandas left in the wild, and some four hundred in zoos and breeding centers around the world. “Here’s a species that, of its own accord, has gone down an evolutionary cul-de-sac,” Packham said, in 2009. The world pours millions into keeping them alive, at the expense of other, more vital animals that would better insure global biodiversity, he argued. “I reckon we should pull the plug. Let them go with a degree of dignity.” But Packham conceded that the panda has disproportionate appeal. “It’s big,” he acknowledged. “And cute.”

Washington, a city centered on crude, self-absorbed politics, melts over its panda bears. The first pair was gifted from China, in 1972, to mark the thaw in relations after President Nixon’s visit. They generated the zoo’s first panda groupies, some of whom are still active four decades later. Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing bore five cubs, but none survived. When Hsing-Hsing developed arthritis, a nearby Starbucks donated blueberry muffins, in which zoo vets hid his daily medicine. That became his favorite food. The capital of the world’s mightiest power went into serious mourning when the pair died, in the nineties. Local schools made sympathy cards to send to the zoo. The pandas’ pelts are still kept in a Smithsonian vault.

By then, pandas had become the unofficial symbol of Washington. “It’s a power town, and pandas are a power species like no other,” Brandie Smith, the zoo’s associate director for Animal Care Sciences, told me. “They’ve become synonymous.” In 2000, Washington opted to rent another pair from China—initially at a million dollars a year, plus hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for joint research, and more for feeding, caring and staffing the pandas.

The couple arrived with fanfare. They flew from China on a specially equipped FedEx plane called Panda One, with a large bear painted on the fuselage. Mei Xiang (“Beautiful Fragrance”) and Tian Tian (“More and More”) got a police escort—and live television coverage—as their motorcade made its way into town. I worked at the Washington Post when their first cub, Tai Shan, was born, five years later. Few would admit it, but Post reporters regularly checked Tai’s antics on the zoo’s early, grainy Panda Cams. (They’re high-def now.) His squeals often echoed in stereo across the newsroom.

Bao Bao, a little girl, was born in 2013. Six weeks later, the government shut down because of a congressional budget dispute, and Bao Bao’s Panda Cam feed was turned off. The National Zoo, one of the few in the country without an entry fee, depends on government funding. The Internet feed was dark for sixteen days. “Our national nightmare is over,” NBC reported, when Republicans and Democrats finally reached a budget compromise. “The Panda Cam is back.” Within ten minutes, it was reaching its maximum capacity, of eight hundred and fifty viewers. The crisis led The Economist to conclude that pandas, despite their non-existent sex lives and self-destructive diets, are far more appealing than “costly, bumbling Washington politicians.”

For all their charm, however, pandas are far from profitable. “They don’t make money,” Steven Monfort, the chief scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, told me. “Every zoo that ever had pandas realizes they will not make their money back. Just building the infrastructure for pandas costs many millions of dollars, in addition to the cost of supporting, caring, and feeding them. The reason zoos do it is more intangible, including reputation and public draw. But those are worthless unless you can do something to help the species.”

continued next post

[GeneChing]

Bei Bei is Washington’s third surviving cub—his twin died within days of their birth–and he may be one of the last. Mei’s fertility cycle is near its end, Smith said. The zoo’s panda program exists partly to diversify the genetic stock of the endangered species. It participates in a kind of eharmony.com for pandas. In the late seventies, zoos began keeping stud books on their males, in order to expand the DNA pool, Monfort explained. Tian Tian, the zoo’s male panda, produces decent sperm, but he’s never figured out how to copulate. He doesn’t “align properly,” Monfort said. “It’s pretty frustrating to watch the poor guy try to mate.” Tian pushes Mei to the ground rather than raising her high enough to penetrate properly. As a result, all of their cubs have been produced by artificial insemination.

For diversity, as its mama panda ages, the zoo turned to the global stud book to find another match. Mei was artificially inseminated twice last spring, with Tian’s sperm and the frozen sperm of a bear in China. “Fresh has better mobility, but sometimes you use both,” Monfort said. “You don’t want to waste a chance.” A female is fertile for only a couple of days a year. Tian’s sperm took—good for the public’s enjoyment of an endearing new member of the zoo’s panda family, but not as good for the long-term survival of the species, since he had already sired two cubs.

Washingtonians are oblivious to genetics. With each cub, the zoo’s Panda Cams have grown more popular. More than five and a half million viewers have clicked on the cameras in the four months since Bei Bei’s birth—double the number after Bao Bao was born. People get in a kind of Internet waiting line to catch a glimpse, lasting only fifteen minutes before they’re automatically bumped off.

Last week, I attended a zoo preview of Bei Bei and encountered some of the panda faithful. Merry and Allen Richon visit the pandas every morning before he heads off to work as a scientist at the National Institutes of Health. They regularly load their pictures on the zoo’s Facebook page. Why the commitment? I asked.

“Pandas have a karma,” Allen said. “They’re raging Democrats. They’re environmentalists.”

Karen Wille, a management consultant and another regular, has been to China—six times—to visit Tai Shan, the zoo’s first cub, born in 2005. All baby pandas go back to China after four years, for panda preservation. Wille pulled out a necklace pendant with Tai’s face on the front and his name, in Chinese characters, on the back. Her friend Christine Harper rolled up a sleeve to show me a row of panda bracelets, sales of which benefit panda research. Both are involved with Pandas International, a group based in Colorado that raises funds to buy medical equipment, computers, ultra sounds, and vaccines for China’s panda-research programs.

Angela Wessel, a zoo volunteer for four decades, used to operate the Panda Cam, on the 4 A.M. to 7 A.M. shift, before heading to work at Hewlett-Packard. She showed me a scrapbook with pictures of her in a panda suit, part of the Zoo’s education program for kids. “You expect kids to grab you and hug,” she said. “But adults do, too—all the time.” She has also has been to China, five times, to visit Tai, who is a notorious ham. Another woman in line was decked out in panda scarves and a headband with panda ears. Among the groupies, she is known as the Voice of the Cubs. She tweets about pandas under the handle @houseofcubs, a play on “House of Cards.” She has more than sixteen hundred followers. No one knows her name, and she prefers it that way.

I asked the zoo’s staff to explain the public fixation on pandas. “With lions and tigers, you’re simply a meal. All they’re interested in is eating you,” Brandie Smith told me. “Pandas are different. When you look in their faces, there’s an intelligence and dependence. You have the feeling, ‘I could be friends with this bear. If we hung out, we’d have a good time.’ ”

There may be a scientific explanation, too, Smith added. “People talk about the power of awe. When you see something that brings awe, it produces oxytocin.” Oxytocin, sometimes known as the “love hormone,” influences emotion and social behavior. “It makes you feel more of a community person. It’s happiness and togetherness,” she said. “So when you have those moments of awe—and aww!—you are biochemically becoming a better person. That’s what pandas produce.”

And given that it's DC, there's this...


Here’s Why People in Panda Suits Are Following Chris Christie Around (http://time.com/4183589/chris-christie-pander-bear-panda-bear-costume/)
Zeke J Miller @ZekeJMiller Jan. 16, 2016

https://timedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/slack-imgs-com.jpeg?quality=75&strip=color&w=600
They're 'pander bears'

(AMES, Iowa) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is being tracked by a pair of “pander bears” in Iowa Saturday, who are passing out fliers highlight his shifting positions.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for sending the two people dressed in panda costumes to brave 15-degree temperatures outside a Christie town hall at a bar in Ames, Iowa. Their handout did not list a sponsor, and one of the pandas told TIME, “We’re doing it ourselves.”

Phil Valenziano, the Christie campaign’s state director, walked out of the event to to challenge the protesters, asking who they were working for. When he discovered there was no “Paid for by” disclosure on their materials, he proclaimed for reporters, “That’s a violation!”

The stunt follows in a long tradition of costumed trackers on the campaign trail, both real and fictional.

[GeneChing]

Cuz being a panda handler would be the best job ever. :D


Panda base on the hunt for caretakers (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2014-05/12/content_17500239.htm)
By China Daily and Xinhua (China Daily)
Updated: 2014-05-12 07:19

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20140512/eca86bd9dddf14da6fd557.jpg
A panda rests on a tree at Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Ya'an, Sichuan province. Li Wei / Xinhua

Being a panda caretaker could be the most enviable and fun-filled job in the country.

Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday that a caretaker at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Ya'an, Sichuan province, will earn 200,000 yuan ($32,000) a year, have the use of an SUV and receive free meals and accommodation.

Recruitment for the position started on Saturday in Beijing and one of the organizers, club.sohu.com, called the job the "Chinese version of a caretaker of an island on the Great Barrier Reef".

"Your work has only one mission: spending 365 days with the pandas and sharing in their joys and sorrows," organizers said.

Applicants should be at least 22 years old and have some basic knowledge of pandas. They should also have good writing skills and the ability to take pictures, according to the recruiters' requirements.

"Many people at our center do the same job, but the salary was never that high," said Heng Yi, a publicity official at the panda center. "But we want more people to pay attention to giant pandas' protection work and participate."

The campaign will also recruit eight panda observers for a free three-day trip to the Bifengxia base.

Volunteers at the center, who account for 80 percent of the base's staff, are mostly from Japan, Europe and the United States, Heng said.

Ye Mingxin, a market manager for Ford Motor Co in China, a co-organizer of the recruitment campaign, said he does not think the job is easy.

"You need perseverance for this job. We expect that the applicants will be mainly white-collar workers from big cities. They are used to eating whatever they want, but inside the giant panda base, the choices will not be plentiful," Ye said.

People can apply for the job at fun.sohu.com. Recruiting drives will also be held in Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou and will last until July 15.

[GeneChing]

...not that I'm into furries (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?52304-Fist-of-Furry) or anything. :o


Zoo staff wear panda costumes to trick baby cub (http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2016/02/04/zoo-staff-wear-costume-trick-baby-panda/)
12:09pm, Feb 4, 2016 ABC

The panda caretakers are responsible for the cub’s ‘back to nature’ training.

http://1v1d1e1lmiki1lgcvx32p49h8fe.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/image/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/panda2.jpg?w=740&h=385&zc=1&q=90&a=c
The costumes aren't likely to trick zoo-goers. Photo: ABC/CNS

A group of panda caretakers in China have dressed up like the animals to make back-to-nature training more authentic for three cubs.

Staff members dressed up in panda costumes to undertake physical examinations on three giant panda cubs at Hetaoping field training base in Wolong, a major habitat for the animal in China’s Sichuan Province, local media reported.

Three panda babies born in 2015, including Xinnier, who is pictured with the caretakers, took part in the training.

The pandas are the sixth group to be put through the training since the program launched in 2005, the People’s Daily Online reports.

The program was designed to introduce artificially bred giant pandas to the wild after two years of training and preparation.

The three cubs are carefully selected from all cubs born in 2015 at the centre and will be gradually re-introduced to living in a natural environment.

[GeneChing]

Warning NSFW. OK, just kidding....I think... depends where you work, I guess...


Hundreds of thousands tune in to watch live broadcasts of pandas getting it on (http://shanghaiist.com/2016/04/05/panda_porn.php)

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/alexlinder/panda_porn4.jpg

Panda pornaholics rejoice! It's that time of the year again, when two pandas are placed together in a confined space, as researchers poke and provoke, trying to get them to screw as the world watches on with bated breath.
That's right. Our favorite Chinese channel iPanda is once again opening an entire page devoted to smut, featuring hours-long videos of pandas wandering around, along with a few minutes of hardcore action.

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/alexlinder/panda_porn1.jpg

This marks the second year that iPanda is attempting to demystify the complex process that is panda breeding, while also giving viewers a glimpse into the difficult job of panda research.
Once again, it has proved a smashing success, state media reports that hundreds of thousands of people watched online as Wu Gang and Cui Cui got it on at the Bifengxia Panda Center.

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/alexlinder/panda_porn2.jpg

So if your curiosity has been piqued, then just click on over and lose yourself in hours of footage and all kinds of different positions. If you are having trouble following the dialogue, click here to familiarize yourself with some panda language basics.

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/alexlinder/panda_porn3.jpg

Panda breeding season lasts from March to May, so if you are unable to find any giant pandas to tickle your fancy, don't worry, there are a total of 27 pandas scheduled to mate this year.
However, it's not guaranteed that all will do the deed. Last year, Wu Gang rebelled, refusing to become a panda porn star. Apparently, he has grown less modest in the last year, or perhaps he has finally found his soulmate.

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/alexlinder/panda_porn5.jpg

If that is somehow still not enough, you can check out our archives for all kinds of NSFW panda content. For instance, that glorious moment when we found out what a panda looks like while masturbating:

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/shang_shanghaiist/pandamasturbating4.gif

Enjoy.

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/erikcrouch/panda-porn.jpg

[Images via CCTV / iPanda]
Contact the author of this article or email tips@shanghaiist.com with further questions, comments or tips.
By Alex Linder in News on Apr 5, 2016 11:58 PM

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP0Vl6Qzb8M

[GeneChing]

Chinese pandas cost a ton of money, not just to maintain, but the zoos must tithe back to China for them. But they make it back as pandas are huge zoo attractions.


‘Dead panda’ scare over animal gifted to Taiwan by China (http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/dead-panda-scare-over-animal-gifted-to-taiwan-by-china)
Monday May 16, 2016
07:45 PM GMT+8

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/images/sized/ez/2804-world-china-panda_620_389_100.jpg
Panda-mania swept Taiwan after Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan produced a cub Yuan Zai in 2014. — Reuters pic

TAIPEI, May 16 — Taipei Zoo was forced to deny reports that a giant panda gifted by China as a symbol of unity had died today, in what initially appeared to be a frightening portent for cross-strait ties.

Tuan Tuan was one of two pandas given to the island in 2008 in a move seen to endorse the presidency of Beijing-friendly leader Ma Ying-jeou.

The animal’s name means “reunion” and was interpreted as a reflection of China’s ambition to reunite self-ruling Taiwan with the mainland.

But as Ma prepares to step down and Taiwan ushers in new China-sceptic leader Tsai Ing-wen — intensely disliked by Beijing — reports circulated online that Tuan Tuan had died of distemper.

News of the death in Chinese media, including huanqiu.com and People’s Daily, triggered laments on the mainland that Beijing’s propaganda machine had failed.

“Tuan Tuan is dead. Propaganda is hopeless,” said one post on People’s Daily Twitter feed.

Others welcomed the news, with one post on Taiwan’s Liberty Times website saying: “It’s good... we don’t have to spend so much money raising a Chinese panda.”

As the story spread, Taipei Zoo insisted Tuan Tuan and his fellow pandas were very much alive.

“All three pandas are in good health,” said zoo spokesman Eric Tsao.

Huanqiu.com later issued a correction and apology to the zoo and Internet users.

People’s Daily also posted a correction via Twitter saying it had been “misinformed”.

Some in Taiwan slammed the false reports — others joked China would have gone to war with Taiwan if the panda had actually died.

“Haha, in the future history will report that China attacked Taiwan because of a panda,” one message on the Apple Daily website said.

Another speculated that pro-independence groups would have been blamed for the panda’s death.

Although a fully fledged democracy, Taiwan has never formally declared a breakaway from China.

Taiwanese pro-independence groups criticised the Ma government for accepting Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan in 2008, saying they were part of Beijing’s pro-reunification push.

But political scepticism did not taint public acceptance and they became a star attraction.

Panda-mania swept Taiwan again after the pair produced cub Yuan Zai in 2014, following a series of artificial insemination sessions. — AFP

[GeneChing]

Giant panda reads newspapers to prove that he is still alive (https://www.dramafever.com/news/panda-reads-newspapers-to-prove-that-he-is-still-alive/)
by Nancy Z on Tue, May 17, 2016

https://www.dramafever.com/st/news/images/57c03e5b-7776-4d51-9d6c-a76c15485d00.jpg

Chinese news outlets have been reporting that the giant panda named Tuan Tuan, who lives in the Taipei Zoo in Taiwan, has passed away due to an illness, but the zoo insists that he is just fine. Here's how Tuan Tuan finally proved that he is still alive.

The Taipei Zoo posted this photo with the caption: "Tuan Tuan says, 'What else is there to say?'"

(Did they use Panda.Google translation? Haha!)

https://www.dramafever.com/st/news/images/3ea701e6-17f5-4b46-9cc0-4ad311863c4b.jpg

Oh my, Tuan Tuan actually looks like a hostage in a cage, with newspapers dated May 16 scattered around him.

Canine distemper is a deadly illness for the giant pandas. So when news came from China that Tuan Tuan had died of the illness, people paid attention. Fortunately, Tuan Tuan is just fine.

Not only is Tuan Tuan alive and well, his mate Yuan Yuan and their cub Yuan Zai, born in 2013, are also fine, said the Taipei Zoo.

https://www.dramafever.com/st/news/images/2ee2fe9b-254e-4caf-914f-ff469a832064.jpg

This rumor has come at a sensitive time. Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan were named for "Tuan Yuan," meaning "Reunion," when they were given to Taiwan by China as a goodwill gift in 2008 to symbolize the hope for an eventual reunification between Taiwan and China. However, Ms. Tsai Ing-wen, the first female President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), is to be inaugurated on May 20, and she came from a political party that has been strongly against the reunion.

Tuan Tuan's photo refuting his death must have worked, as Chinese media including Huanqiu.com and People's Daily have issued retractions.

It's a great relief to know these beloved giant pandas are alive and well. No more rumors, ok?

It's like the Jackie-Chan-Death-Hoaxes (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69357-Jackie-Chan-Death-Hoaxes)

[GeneChing]

YAY! I've been needing some good news. :)


Good news and bad news for the animal kingdom (http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/04/world/giant-panda-endangered-downgrade-gorillas-decline/)
By Emanuella Grinberg, CNN
Updated 7:40 AM ET, Mon September 5, 2016

The giant panda is no longer an endangered species
The eastern gorilla is critically endangered

(CNN)There's mixed news in the animal kingdom, as one beloved species celebrates increased numbers and another slips closer to extinction.

These developments come from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, which assesses a species' conservation status.

First, the good news:
The giant panda is no longer an endangered species
Thanks to an increase in available habitat, the population of the giant panda rose 17% from 2004 to 2014, leading the IUCN to downgrade it from endangered to vulnerable.
A nationwide census in 2014 found 1,864 giant pandas in the wild in China, up from 1,596 in 2004, the IUCN said in its report on the animal.
Revered in Chinese culture, the giant panda was once widespread throughout southern China.
Since the 1970s, it has been the focus of one of the most intensive, high-profile campaigns to recover an endangered species, after a census by the Chinese government found around 2,459 pandas in the world -- proof of its precarious position, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/160825160953-05-week-in-photos-0826-exlarge-169.jpg
Giant panda cub Nuan Nuan lives at the National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur.

China banned trading panda skins in 1981, and the enactment of the 1988 Wildlife Protection Law banned poaching and conferred the highest protected status to the animal. The creation of a panda reserve system in 1992 increased available habitats; today, there are 67 reserves in the country that protect 67% of the population and nearly 1.4 million hectares of habitat.
Meanwhile, partnerships between the Chinese government and international conservation nongovernmental organizations and zoos have spread research, conservation and breeding efforts. Zoo Atlanta announced Saturday that 19-year-old Lun Lun, originally from China's Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, had given birth to twins.
The improved status confirms that the Chinese government's reforestation and forest protection efforts are working, the IUCN said. But climate change still threatens to eliminate more than 35% of the panda's bamboo habitat in the next 80 years; hence the "vulnerable" designation, which means it's still at risk of extinction.
"The recovery of the panda shows that when science, political will and engagement of local communities come together, we can save wildlife and also improve biodiversity," said WWF Director General Marco Lambertini.

Now, the bad news:
The eastern gorilla is critically endangered
Eastern gorillas populate the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, northwest Rwanda and southwest Uganda, making them another victim of the region's civil wars.
Hunting of eastern gorillas, fueled by the spread of firearms, has led to a population decline of more than 70% in the past 20 years for the world's largest living primate, the IUCN said.
The eastern gorilla population, made up of two subspecies, is estimated to be fewer than 5,000, bumping it from endangered to critically endangered.
One of those subspecies, Grauer's gorilla, lost 77% of its population since 1994, declining from 16,900 individuals to just 3,800 in 2015, the IUCN said. The second subspecies, the mountain gorilla, is faring better, increasing its number to around 880 individuals, reversing a decline that began in 1996.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/160904185002-gorilla-beringei-file-restricted-exlarge-169.jpg
The mountain gorilla, seen here, is doing better than its counterpart, the Grauer's gorilla.

The change in status means four of six great apes are critically endangered, the eastern gorilla, western gorilla, Bornean orangutan and Sumatran orangutan. The chimpanzee and bonobo are considered endangered.
In the past 20 years, Grauer's gorillas have been severely affected by human activities, the victim of poaching for bushmeat for those working in mining camps and for commercial trade, the IUCN said.
"This illegal hunting has been facilitated by a proliferation of firearms resulting from widespread insecurity in the region," said the IUCN in a report on the animal. "This rate of population loss is almost three times above that which qualifies a species as critically endangered."
Additional threats include habitat loss and degradation through agricultural and pastoral activities in DRC, along with extraction of resources, which puts added stress on natural habitats.
Illegal mining has decimated the lowlands of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a Grauer's gorilla habitat. Destruction of forest for timber, charcoal production and agriculture continues to threaten isolated gorilla populations in North Kivu and the Itombwe Massif

[GeneChing]

Shocking images show a giant panda at a Chinese zoo foraging through RUBBISH left by tourists and eating it (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3832383/Shocking-images-giant-panda-Chinese-zoo-foraging-RUBBISH-left-tourists-eating-it.html?ITO=applenews)

A visitor captured the images at Taiyuan Zoo in China's Shanxi province
She shared the photos on social media where they've sparked outrage
Zoo has apologised for the incident and said the enclosures were cleaned

By QIN XIE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 08:49 EST, 11 October 2016 | UPDATED: 17:51 EST, 11 October 2016

Photographs of a giant panda foraging through rubbish and apparently eating it at a zoo in China has sparked outrage.
The images, captured by a visitor to Taiyuan Zoo in Shanxi province, showed the bear rooting through assorted junk in its enclosure, including a water bottle, food debris and a balloon.
After the pictures appeared on Chinese social media thousands of people commented on the incident, calling for the zoo to lose its rights to house China's national treasure.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/11/13/394DA34C00000578-3832383-Photographs_of_a_giant_panda_foraging_through_rubb ish_pictured_a-a-27_1476189050680.jpg
Photographs of a giant panda foraging through rubbish (pictured) and apparently eating it at a Chinese zoo has sparked outrage

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/11/13/394DA35800000578-3832383-The_animal_was_seen_rooting_through_various_items-a-28_1476189052056.jpg
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The animal was seen rooting through various items, including food debris (left) and a water bottle (right)

The photographs were taken by user 'ai gun gun o' and posted to Weibo on October 5.
In a caption that accompanied the images, she wrote: 'Taiyuan Zoo doesn't deserve to have giant panda! I don't know whether it's Gong Wan or Shun Shun that's eating the rubbish left behind by tourists!
'The outside enclosure is like this. More importantly, there's no one to do anything about it!
'Can't find breeders! Can't find managers. This makes me so angry!'

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/11/13/394DA35000000578-3832383-Many_Chinese_web_users_were_outraged_by_the_condit ion_of_the_enc-a-30_1476189056629.jpg
Many Chinese web users were outraged by the condition of the enclosure (pictured)

Since the story emerged on Weibo, thousands of people have commented on the incident, outraged by both the tourists and staff at the zoo.
Some even said the zoo should not be able to house giant pandas.
'Chen Lang 1968' commented: 'Taiyuan Zoo needs to be stripped of their rights to have giant pandas.'
Taiyuan Zoo was quick to respond to the incident.
In an official statement distributed via Weibo, the attraction confirmed the incident.
The statement said that it took place during the national holiday period and that the park had been very busy.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/11/13/394D905500000578-3832383-image-a-31_1476189064699.jpg
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The zoo has since released a statement apologising for the incident. They also released images showing the enclosure being sanitised

A number of visitors were said to have ignored warnings and decided to feed the pandas, which resulted in the rubbish seen in the enclosure.
The zoo was keen to stress that as the photographs were taken, one of the pandas, Gong Gong, had already been moved to an indoor enclosure.
Staff were already preparing to rehouse Shun Shun as well, which was why they were unavailable.
The zoo apologised for the incident and said that staff had since tidied and sanitised the enclosures.
The pandas underwent a health check and were given the all clear.
MailOnline Travel has contacted Taiyuan Zoo for additional comment.


CHINA'S PRECIOUS ANIMAL AMBASSADOR: THE FACTS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT GIANT PANDAS
Pandas are often considered national treasures in China.
There is an estimated 1,600 giant pandas in the wild. There are also around 300 in zoos and breeding centres around the world.
It's unknown how long Giant Pandas live in the wild. However, Chinese media have reported pandas living in zoos up to the age of 35.
A wild panda's diet is 99 per cent bamboo while the remaining one per cent is usually small rodents.
Giant pandas need to consume around 20 to 40 pounds of bamboo each day to get the nutrients they need.
On all four legs, giant pandas stand at around three to four feet tall.
The cubs do not open their eyes until they are six to eight weeks of age and are not mobile until three months.
Until recently, the animal had been listed as an endangered species.
Source: Smithsonian National Zoological Park and MailOnline




Never been to a Chinese zoo. I don't think I could take it. I've been to zoos outside the U.S. where conditions were horrible and felt really bad about paying the entrance fees after.

[GeneChing]

There's vid behind the link.


Panda wrestles man who sneaked into enclosure in China (http://news.sky.com/story/panda-wrestles-man-who-sneaked-into-enclosure-in-china-10639039)
The visitor had apparently jumped in to show off in front of his female friends - but ended up in a tangle with the 120kg bear.
05:19, UK,
Monday 31 October 2016

Man wrestles panda

A giant panda grabbed a man's leg and pulled him to the ground after he sneaked into the animal's enclosure in China.

The unnamed visitor was captured on camera walking up to the sleeping adult male called Mei Ling.

He had apparently jumped in to show off in front of his female friends at the zoo in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province.

As the man stood over the 120kg (19 stone) panda, 12-year-old Mei Ling woke and ran towards him, immediately grabbing his right leg.

http://e3.365dm.com/16/10/750x563/32759456188ab546c5089d602c403eed3efbc3b09d96953663 7063918558832a_3820653.jpg?20161030175602
The visitor was eventually able to flee the scene

The move has apparently been used in the past when pandas are playing with their keepers.

However, the man got himself into a sticky situation when he was wrestled onto the grass.

His attempts to stroke the panda's back to get him to let go proved unsuccessful.

He was eventually able to free his leg and run away by turning his body in a wrestling-style move so that he was on top of the panda.

Kuang Huaming, from Nanchang Zoo, said: "The young man left the zoo right after he escaped, and we could not get in touch with him.

"According to witnesses, his trousers were torn a little by the panda, but the man should be OK.

"We also arranged medical checks for the panda and told the breeders to closely observe its condition. So far the panda is fine."

[GeneChing]

RIP Pan Pan

WARNING: NSFW - Panda Sex


How 'hero father' panda Pan Pan helped to save his species (http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/30/asia/panda-pan-pan-dead/)
By Serenitie Wang and Ben Westcott, CNN
Updated 3:28 AM ET, Fri December 30, 2016

Story highlights
Pan Pan helped father about 25% of the world's captive panda population
He was the oldest living male panda when he died at the age of 31

(CNN)You may never have heard of him, but without this bear you might never have seen a panda in your local zoo.

Pan Pan, the oldest male panda in the world, died early in the morning on Wednesday in China's Sichuan province.
During his life, Pan Pan fathered more than 130 children and grandchildren, according to Chinese state media, making 25% of all pandas in captivity his descendents.
Keepers fondly remembered his "energy and vitality" in the 1990s, during which he fathered the first ever panda cub to survive in a captive breeding environment.


iPanda added 3 new photos.
December 28 at 1:28am ·
RIP--legendary panda Pan Pan passed away
Giant panda Pan Pan passed away at the age of 31 for tumor at 4:50 am Beijing time on Dec 28th ,in Dujiangyan Research Center.
He is a legendary father of over 130 pandas, a quarter of all the captive pandas of the world. We will miss you, Pan Pan and RIP. #PandaNews
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His family is now living in zoos across the world, from California in the United States to Chiang Mai in Thailand and even all the way in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Pan Pan was 31 years old when he died, the panda equivalent of over 100 human years.
Pan Pan 'strong and virile'
Pandas are famously difficult to breed in captivity -- a female is fertile for no more than three days a year and a pregnancy can last up to 200 days.
But Pan Pan helped launch a breakthrough in China panda breeding.
Speaking to CNN, a spokesman for the Panda Conservation and Research Center in Sichuan, China said Pan Pan had been found in the wild, making him "wilder" than other pandas.
"He had a strong physique. Pan Pan was really fast and agile when he was young," he said.

http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/161230120612-04-pan-pan-china-panda-exlarge-169.jpeg
Pan Pan mating with a female during his youth in 1999. He helped father 25% of all pandas in captivity worldwide.

In a post on their official Weibo in November, the China Panda Protection and Research Center said the whole panda research center had been having trouble with panda breeding when Pan Pan arrived.
"Pan Pan brought hope to the center. In a group of sluggish, feeble pandas, Pan Pan stood out. He was always full of energy and vitality."
The Center said Pan Pan had been in "full blossom" in the late 1990s, before eventually withdrawing from breeding due to his age.
Giant panda gives birth to twins

Giant panda gives birth to twins 00:49
"I heard old employees talk about Pan Pan -- how strong and virile he was. In the mating season, he was particularly excited and rugged, covered with hormones from top to bottom," the post said.
"He easily dominated the population."
In September 2016, it was announced giant pandas were no longer officially endangered as numbers increased.
Center honors 'hero father'
The center's official Weibo account announced Pan Pan's death on Wednesday, describing the panda as a "hero father" of many.
"Pan Pan's health rapidly deteriorated. He lost his ability to move and hunt. The medical staff tried to rescue him but had no luck," the statement said.
"(Hopefully) he doesn't suffer from pain in heaven. May "Grand Pan" rest in peace."
China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas keeper Tan Chengbin told Xinhua Pan Pan had been living with cancer and his health had "deteriorated" in the past three days.
His death comes less than two months after the world's oldest panda, a female named Jia Jia, passed away in Hong Kong at the age of 38.
Currently the oldest living panda is Basi, a female bear in Fujian who is 36 at present.

Christy Chen contributed to this report for CNN.

[GeneChing]

Celebrate National Panda Day With Clips From Disney's 'Born In China' (http://latfusa.com/article/2017/3/celebrate-national-panda-day-with-clips-from/)

By: LATF Staff | March 16, 2017, 9:12 a.m.
Filed in: FYI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8DgfRFgjhQ

We're celebrating National Panda Day (March 16th) with new clips from Disney's BORN IN CHINA... hits theaters April 21st!

continued next post

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lvVFbDX9OI

Follow the panda journey:

https://www.facebook.com/Disneynature/

https://twitter.com/Disneynature

https://www.instagram.com/disneynature/

There's a pornhub angle to National Panda Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6R1iwsHdAk) this year. :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

Pandas Are Adorable! (Also a Tool for Chinese Geopolitical Domination) (https://www.wsj.com/articles/dont-like-china-no-pandas-for-you-1490366939#_=_)
Beijing, which has a monopoly on breeding the rare bears, strategically lends them abroad as a soft-power tool to promote warm feelings for the Middle Kingdom—and sometimes dangles them to gain leverage; ‘I think they just played us’

Three-year-old panda Bao Bao was flown to China from the Washington National Zoo, leaving behind her parents and brother. Although Bao Bao was born in D.C., she has technically been on loan from China. Photo: Associated Press

By KATE O’KEEFFE
Updated March 24, 2017 11:04 a.m. ET

China produces roughly 25% of the world’s vehicles, half its steel and 75% of its smartphones.

It controls 100% of the world’s panda production, though, and therein lies the key to panda diplomacy, the soft-power tool Beijing mercilessly uses for global influence.

https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/HC-GV058_Panda_G_20170323161015.jpg
Bao Bao

China strategically dispatches the bears to zoos around the world through loan agreements that guard its panda monopoly. The black-and-white diplomats, who nap and snack on the job, promote warm feelings about China even when leaders’ rhetoric is cold.

They are critical “especially for ordinary people, not politicians or diplomats, to understand that people with different systems can still work together on lots of things,” says Liu Yuqing, a Chinese-embassy press officer in Washington.

Officials from New York to New Zealand have proven susceptible to this weaponized adorability, cozying up to Beijing in hopes of drawing from its arsenal of giant pandas—2,239 of them, as of China’s latest census.

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Visitors flock to watch Bao Bao at the Smithsonian National Zoo. PHOTO: SARAH L. VOISIN/THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES

Last month, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D., N.Y.) presented China’s New York consul general as an honored guest at the inaugural “Panda Ball” at the Chinese-owned Waldorf Astoria hotel. Black-and-white-clad partygoers raised nearly $500,000 toward trying to acquire a bear pair for New York City, which the sponsor, The Pandas Are Coming To NYC, billed as an important symbol of Sino-American friendship.

Guests broke open red fortune cookies that predicted a “panda tastic” life. In a pièce de panda résistance, the sponsors brought out Ed Cox, Richard Nixon’s son-in-law, to laud the late president’s role in China’s epic 1972 deployment of pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing to the National Zoo.

The nonprofit group says it still needs to raise tens of millions and to win a contract from China to get bears by its 2020 goal. “A pair of Giant pandas would be great for New York’s economy,” says Rep. Maloney.

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Panda Le Bao plays with his ice birthday cake at his home in South Korea. PHOTO: JUNG YEON-JE//AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES

The Netherlands’ Ouwehands Zoo waited nearly two decades for pandas, working Dutch and Chinese government contacts, says director Robin de Lange. The Dutch had high hopes in 2012, upon the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Dutch diplomatic relations, he says, and in 2013 with the Dutch Queen’s abdication in favor of her son.

“We thought ‘This is a perfect moment,’ but nothing happened,” he says. Finally in 2015, the zoo signed a contract in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People in the presence of President Xi Jinping and King Willem-Alexander. The pandas are set to arrive next month.

Panda diplomacy dates to the Tang dynasty, when Empress Wu Zetian (624-705 A.D.) gave pandas to the Japanese emperor, and it later became a Cold War-era strategy. Beijing gave a panda to the Soviet Union in 1957 and another in 1959. It gave Washington pandas after President Nixon’s trip to China ended decades of estrangement.

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The National Zoo's Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, here in 1974, were Beijing’s gifts to the U.S. in 1972 after President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China. PHOTO: CHARLES TASNADI/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Giant pandas live in the wild only in China. “The panda represents a fascinating soft-power resource,” wrote University of Oxford researchers in a 2013 panda-diplomacy study. “Its presence in non-Chinese zoos involves others in the appreciation and care of a Chinese national treasure.”

In the 1980s, China stopped giving pandas, lending them instead, according to zoos and Chinese state media. Pandas are posted in strategically important countries across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

In exchange, zoos work with Chinese scientists on panda research and typically pay China $500,000 to $1 million a year to help with conservation, zoos and state-media reports say, and bears born abroad are generally shipped back to the motherland by age 4 for breeding.

The Smithsonian National Zoo recently gave up its Washington-born 3-year-old Bao Bao. The Chinese embassy’s minister for commercial affairs escorted her to a private jet last month after an extensive series of farewell parties.

“We have this ambassador, the panda ambassador, which really comes in very handy,” says the embassy’s Ms. Liu. “When there’s a very cute and friendly and lovely ambassador such as the panda, it is definitely easier for us to promote the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.”

Some in Omaha, Neb., suspected other motives. The city’s zoo spent nearly nine years fundraising for a chance at a pair after a Chinese diplomat dangled the prospect, says Omaha Zoo Foundation Chairman Lee Simmons.

“As a practical businessman, these numbers will scare the hell out of you,” says Mr. Simmons, who says he cut the quest short in 2007 after the Chinese embassy called requesting help scuttling a trade deal between Nebraska and Taiwan. “They never had any intention of ever sending pandas to Omaha,” he says. “I think they just played us.”

Mr. Simmons’ account of Omaha’s panda pursuit was reported by the Omaha World-Herald in October. “I have never heard anything about it,” the Chinese embassy’s Ms. Liu says of the episode.

In 2006, a year after China had offered Taiwan pandas, then-leader Chen Shui-bian, not a friend to Beijing, declined, according to press reports. Two years later, pro-China leader Ma Ying-jeou assumed the Taiwan presidency and welcomed the bears—which Beijing gave as a gift instead of a loan because it views the self-governing island as part of China. Their names, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, combined mean “reunion,” a reference to Beijing’s goal of reuniting with Taiwan.

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A panda cub at the Taipei Zoo, born to a bear pair the Chinese mainland gave as a goodwill gift to Taiwan. PHOTO: XINHUA/ZUMA PRESS

New Zealand had its own pandamonium after Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee attempted what media there branded “a black ops panda mission” in China. While meeting with the People’s Liberation Army in 2015, the media reported, he visited a panda-breeding center and delivered a letter from Wellington’s then-mayor Celia Wade-Brown in which she sought to procure a pair. Some lawmakers publicly accused Mr. Brownlee of misplaced priorities and one in a press release labeled him a “panda pimp.”

Then-Prime Minister John Key, who had earlier proposed giving China two kiwi birds in exchange for pandas, told reporters he didn’t know anything about the letter. The three New Zealand officials declined to comment. New Zealand remains panda-less.

Some panda fans worry President Donald Trump’s anti-China trade rhetoric could spoil the program. Tara Cain, who attended one of the National Zoo’s “Bye Bye Bao Bao” events, says she believes the bears will keep helping U.S.-China relations, but worries: “If certain political trajectories stay in play, that could become an issue.”

The Chinese embassy’s Ms. Liu says the program will continue no matter what happens in the administration. “This is only one chapter,” she says.

https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-SP491_0323PA_P_20170323000958.jpg
Giant Panda cubs with their mother at Vienna’s Schoenbrunn Zoo in February. PHOTO: SCHOENBRUNN ZOO/REUTERS

Write to Kate O’Keeffe at kathryn.okeeffe@wsj.com

Appeared in the Mar. 25, 2017, print edition as 'A Panda’s Two Jobs: Be Adorable, Promote Chinese Foreign Policy.'

A few years ago, I made it to the San Diego Zoo to see the pandas there. It was so worth it.

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Ht9YXnVmE

[GeneChing]

Pandas not made in China? Well, they've got them all now.


Do giant panda actually came from EUROPE? Ten million year old teeth fossils found in Hungary suggest the bear might not originate in China (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/china/article-5035817/Giant-panda-not-come-Europe.html)
Researchers discovered remains of ancient pandas in town of Rudabánya
The team compared the shape and structure and wear patterns of found teeth
Experts know very little about the evolution of the giant panda and its origin
It's commonly believed that the black-and-white bears have only lived in China
By CLAIRE HEFFRON and TRACY YOU FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 05:51 EDT, 1 November 2017 | UPDATED: 06:36 EDT, 1 November 2017

Researchers have discovered the teeth of an ancient animal that resembles a modern-day giant panda during excavations in Europe.

Professor David Begun, from the University of Toronto, discovered the 10-million-year-old fossilised remains while out hunting for bones at a site in north Hungary.

This discovery has allowed experts to doubt the theory of giant panda's origin as it's commonly assumed that the black-and-white bears have only lived in China.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/08/45BA391700000578-5035817-image-a-3_1509525177988.jpg
Where are you from? It's commonly believed that giant panda originated in the mountainous regions in China, but researchers have found evidence that could suggest otherwise

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/09/45E4FD8E00000578-5035817-Is_this_the_proof_Professor_David_Begun_from_the_U niversity_of_T-a-18_1509529592557.jpg
Is this the proof? Professor David Begun from the University of Toronto discovered the 10-million-year-old fossil teeth (pictured) during excavations in north Hungary

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/09/45E4FD9200000578-5035817-Prof_Begun_believed_the_teeth_might_have_belonged_ to_a_panda_bas-a-19_1509529600549.jpg
Prof. Begun believed the teeth might have belonged to a panda based on their shape

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/14/45DDBA8100000578-0-image-a-15_1509460812744.jpg
The remains were found by Prof. Begun and his team in the Hungarian town of Rudabánya, which is famously known for having remains of ancient ancestors from apes and humans

Prof. Begun found the fossilised remains in the Hungarian town of Rudabánya, which is famously known for having remains of ancient ancestors from apes and humans.

He believed the mysterious teeth might have belonged to a panda based on their shape.

Prof. Begun and his team came to the conclusion that the ancient panda had the same diet as today's giant panda.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/14/0556552D000003E8-0-image-a-13_1509459321965.jpg
Vegetarian lifestyle: The giant pandas root's could be from another continent (file photo)

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/14/45DDBA7B00000578-0-image-a-16_1509460842677.jpg
The giant panda is thought to come from mountainous western China, mainly Sichuan

Louis de Bonis from the University of Poitiers in France told New Scientist. 'This tells us that the way of life of the panda's ancestors was very similar to the modern panda.'

Begun and his team named the species Miomaci panonnicum.

'Miomaci could be considered not like a direct ancestor, but more like a "cousin" of the modern panda'.

The wild giant panda is currently only found in forested mountain ranges in south-west and north-west China.

The new finding shows relatives of pandas were eating plant-based diets millions of years before pandas evolved to specifically eat bamboo.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/08/45E4CFE900000578-5035817-image-a-4_1509525739103.jpg
Experts came to the conclusion that ancient panda had the same diet as today's giant panda

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/08/2F3FFEAD00000578-5035817-image-a-5_1509525745237.jpg
Experts know very little about the evolution of the giant panda and its origin

It was previously assumed that bears of the panda family have been confined to China ever since they split from other bear species.

However, the revelation shows pandas were located in central Europe 10 million years ago.

Dave Begun told New Scientist: 'There are interesting similarities between animal fossils found in some European and Chinese sites in the late Miocene period, suggesting that there may have been a lot of traveling between the two areas.'

It's still unclear whether the pandas went from Europe to Asia or vice versa.

However, at the time of this ancient panda, Europe was wetter and warmer than today, likely having lush subtropical forests where the bears would have flourished.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/17/45DC878900000578-5035817-Oldest_ancestors_found_in_Spain_11_6million_year_o ld_fossils_are-a-3_1509472356083.jpg
Ancient remains found in Spain: Two fossils were unearthed in Zaragoza in 2012 and were thought to have belonged to a species (above) that could be the ancestor of the giant panda

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/17/45DC878000000578-5035817-Discovery_Teeth_dating_back_11_6_million_years_old _were_found_at-a-2_1509472353311.jpg
Discovery: Teeth dating back 11.6 million years old were found at a site near Zaragoza, Spain

Nobody really knows how the giant panda evolved, with the oldest remains unearthed in China approximately eight million years old.

Few fossils of its relatives have been found, so its lineage is almost as hotly debated as that of humans.

In 2012, a few fossilised teeth dating back 11.6 million years old were found at a paleontological site near Zaragoza, Spain.

The researchers discovered the fossils had the characteristics of a bear which adapted to eating tough plant material like bamboo. continued next post

[GeneChing]

QIZAI: A RARE BROWN PANDA
Qizai is thought to be the only living panda in the world who has a rare coat of white and brown.

The seven-year-old male panda lives in the Foping Panda Valley in Shaanxi province, north-west China.

Qizai was found as a two-month-old cub, weak and alone, by researchers in a nature reserve in Qinling Mountains in central China after his mother had apparently disappeared into the jungle.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/08/45E53A7600000578-5035817-image-a-9_1509526700579.jpg
Too cute to bear: Qizai, from China's Shaanxi Province, has proved that when it comes to a panda, it's not always a case of black and white

For his own safety, the researchers took him to the nearby Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue, Breeding and

Research Centre where he was given medical treatment and fed on panda milk saved by the centre's staff from other pandas.

He Xin, Qizai’s keeper, said the pandas from Shaanxi have different appearance to those from south-west China's Sichuan province, where the giant pandas are thought to originate.

'The pandas in Shaanxi have lighter fur colour than the Sichuan pandas,' said Mr He.

'Some of them have dark brown fur around the stomach,' he added. 'But Qizai is the most brown panda of them all.'

7-year-old Qizai is thought to be the world's only brown panda

Katherine Feng, an American vet and member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, had the opportunities to take photos of Qizai in 2015.

Ms Feng said: 'Brown and white pandas have only been seen in the Qinling Mountains. The Qinling Mountain pandas are considered a different sub-species from those found in other mountain ranges.

'It is suspected that the brown and white colouring of pandas has a genetic basis, possible a result of a double recessive gene, a combination of genes or a dilution factor gene. Qi Zai's mother was black and white.'

There have only been five sightings of brown-and-white pandas since 1985.

Had to squeeze this sidebar in too, because...PANDAS!

[GeneChing]

PANDA POOP IS BEING TURNED INTO FACIAL TISSUES AND TOILET PAPER (http://www.newsweek.com/tissues-made-panda-feces-food-debris-chengdu-753405)
BY CHRISTINA ZHAO ON 12/20/17 AT 6:18 AM

A new type of luxury facial tissue made with recycled Panda feces is set to be launched in China.

The bizarre product, called “Panda poo,” will retail at for $6.54 a box, ten times the price of ordinary tissue paper.

Sichuan Jianwei County Fengsheng Paper Company struck a deal with giant panda reserves in southwest China on Monday, which allows them to collect and recycle the feces and food debris from the center’s three bases in Dujiangyan, Wolong and Bifengxia, local media reported.

http://s.newsweek.com/sites/www.newsweek.com/files/styles/full/public/2017/12/20/gettyimages-895782808.jpg
Napkins made by panda feces and food debris is seen in Chengdu in China's southwestern Sichuan province on December 20, 2017.
GETTY

As part of the deal, the company will collect the raw materials every three to seven days, combine the excrement and food waste and produce retail tissue paper.

Huang Yan, a researcher at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), told the Chengdu Business Daily that each animal passes more than 22 pounds of excrement per day and taking care of it is “rather time-consuming."

Pandas also produce about 110 pounds of food waste each day, as the bears often spit out large amounts of bamboo after chewing.

"They're taking care of our rubbish for us," Huang Yan, a researcher at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), told the newspaper. "Turning [feces] into tissue offers a perfect solution for us to deal with [the] waste.”

In addition to luxury facial tissues, the company will also produce other paper products, such as toilet paper, handkerchiefs and napkins.

"[Excrement] will not be used to make paper for writing," Zhou Chuanping, the company’s deputy general manager, said. "[So] to ensure safety, the paper will undergo bacteria testing before it enters the market."

Addressing concerns of skeptics who may find it unhygenic to wipe their faces with feces, Zhou said that there are many processes in place to ensure the product is ready for consumption. After washing and streaming, the paper will be sterilized in high temperatures. Meanwhile, the high cost of production justifies the expensive price of the tissue, he argued.

“We have achieved a win-win situation with the pandas,” Yang Chaolin, the company’s chairman, said.


People's Daily,China ‏Verified account
@PDChina
Follow (https://twitter.com/PDChina/status/942962461778485248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Ftissues-made-panda-feces-food-debris-chengdu-753405)Follow @PDChina
More
Are you a true #panda fan? Tissue paper made from “panda poo” is now available in #China. This special product uses real panda poop and food waste from three panda bases in Sichuan. But don’t worry, they like to eat bamboo and the waste consists mainly of bamboo fibers. 🐼💩

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DRYS3JbUIAAI5fo.jpg
7:39 PM - 18 Dec 2017


I actually had some Panda poop products. I got a notebook at the San Diego Zoo made from Panda poop. It was a rather course paper, and not really strong enough to carry daily in my pocket, but part of the expense went to the pandas, so that's cool.

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAamrkLjIuM

[GeneChing]

03.14.186:00 AM WORLD CHANGING IDEAS
China’s New Panda Park Will Be The Size Of Massachusetts (https://www.fastcompany.com/40543393/chinas-new-panda-park-will-be-the-size-of-massachusetts)
The new park will connect 67 separate reserves, in the hopes of increasing the world’s panda population after it’s come back from the brink.

https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_937,ar_16:9,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,q_auto,fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2018/03/p-1-chinas-new-panda-park-will-be-the-size-of-massachusetts.jpg
[Photo: Hung_Chung_Chih/iStock]

BY ADELE PETERS 3 MINUTE READ

When giant pandas moved off the endangered species list in 2016–from “endangered” to “vulnerable“–it was because China helped protect some of the animal’s habitat and panda numbers rose. Now the government is working on a bigger step: a massive new giant panda national park that will be roughly the same size as Massachusetts, or three times larger than Yosemite.

The park, which is scheduled to open in 2020, will sprawl across 10,476 square miles in the western provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu, linking up dozens of smaller protected areas. Right now, pandas live in 30 isolated areas; roads and other new development over the last couple of decades have cut off former swaths of continuous habitat.

By connecting 67 reserves, the new park will make it more likely that the species can survive. Pandas don’t breed often–each female is only fertile for a day or a day and a half each year, and might give birth once every two years–and as populations have become more fragmented, the chances of inbreeding have risen. In some patches of habitat, there may be as few as 10 bears.

https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_596,c_limit,q_auto:best,f_auto,fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2018/03/i-1a-chinas-new-panda-park-will-be-the-size-of-massachusetts.jpg
[Photo: Flickr user Paolo Trabattoni]

Climate change is also shifting where bamboo can grow, and pandas, which can eat as much as 40 pounds of bamboo in a day (and eat little else), will need to be able to move with their food. Over the next 80 years, more than a third of panda habitat may become too hot for bamboo to grow. The plans for the park are “setting up a network of places where they can eat,” says Robert Tansey, a senior advisor on China for The Nature Conservancy. “The Chinese are thinking specifically about where they can have passageways or tunnels so the pandas can take advantage not only of specific areas, but are able to traverse and get to other set-off or protected areas.”

The park is unusual both in terms of its scale and complexity. There are 170,000 people currently living within the boundaries of the new park. Some may have to relocate, particularly in one county where population density is highest (China’s authoritarian government has little issue relocating people who are in the way of major projects). In other cases, people may have to adapt to live under new restrictions that protect habitat. The government plans to allocate some of the park’s budget to help build an ecotourism industry with new jobs for people living in the area.

In 2017, The Nature Conservancy took a team of Chinese planners to visit parks in California, including Yosemite, to help as they planned the new park. At a wildlife refuge near Sacramento, they saw how different parcels of land were connected with pathways for wildlife, and how those outside the park also helped–rice farmers in the area, for example, now leave out vegetation longer than they would have otherwise to support migrating birds.

https://images.fastcompany.net/image/upload/w_596,c_limit,q_auto:best,f_auto,fl_lossy/wp-cms/uploads/2018/03/i-2-chinas-new-panda-park-will-be-the-size-of-massachusetts.jpg
[Photo: shutrbugg/iStock]

“You can’t just shut off a species or an ecosystem, you’ve got multiple uses and users,” says Tansey. “You need to find ways for people and organizations to work together so you have what you want with shared benefits down the road.” Some protected areas already navigate between even denser urban development and nature; in the Santa Monica Mountains, for example, where mountain lions live next to Los Angeles neighborhoods, a bridge may be built to help the animals cross an eight-lane freeway.

For China, the giant panda park is one of several new national parks, and it’s also coming after 20 years of discussions about wildlife corridors between disconnected panda habitat. Xi Jinping, China’s president, has championed the idea of a national park system. Without the panda park, the area would “almost surely” be developed, Tansey says. He compares it to what might have happened without a national park system in the United States.

“If you had not set aside wildlife refuges, national parks, other forms of protected areas that are designated and managed by the government, I think it would be reasonable to say that those places would have been developed–that you would have a five-star hotel where you woke up and looked out at Old Faithful 100 meters away, or something,” he says. “That’s the nature of the profit motive.”

The panda park will help bring protection for thousands of other, sometimes less charismatic species, like the takin, an animal that looks a little like a combination of a moose, bear, and goat. For pandas, it may help populations grow. There were once perhaps 100,000 pandas in Asia. Now the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the organization that produces the endangered species list, believes there are 1,864 pandas. By 2025, China hopes to nudge that up to 2,000.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adele Peters is a staff writer at Fast Company who focuses on solutions to some of the world's largest problems, from climate change to homelessness. Previously, she worked with GOOD, BioLite, and the Sustainable Products and Solutions program at UC Berkeley.

So awesome

[GeneChing]

At least, that's what IMAX told me when it sent me this promo vid.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWxsy2d3LlA

[GeneChing]

KEN FOXE
Lonely Planet Writer
3 HOURS AGO
China boosts future of giant panda with plans for enormous reserve (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2018/03/20/china-enormous-panda-reserve/)

The future of one of nature’s most iconic animals – the giant panda – has received a major boost with the announcement of an enormous new preserve.

https://lonelyplanetwpnews.imgix.net/2018/03/GettyRF_611847562-e1521467190891-1500x1000.jpg
Cute panda eating bamboo in Chengdu , Sichuan. Image by Getty Images

The conservation park will be two million hectares in size, the size of the entire European nation of Slovenia (or double the area of the famous Yellowstone National Park in the US). A huge portion of the funding is coming from the Bank of China, which has committed ten billion yuan for the project – equivalent to US$1.5 billion. The park is expected to be completed over the next five years and will provide a major conservation boost for the giant panda and an economic fillip for the province of Sichuan.

https://lonelyplanetwpnews.imgix.net/2018/03/GettyRF_149365277-1500x1392.jpg
Giant panda cub resting on tree in Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Center in Chengdu. Image by Getty Images

The sheer scale of it will not only help the endangered animals but also allow them a wider range for meeting mates, in the hope of deepening the genetic pool of the species. It will link 67 separate reserves into one giant conservation zone using passageways and tunnels to link habitats that are currently cut off from one another. The project is bound to be complex with 170,000 people living within the new conservation area but China is hopeful it can develop ecotourism around the preserve.

https://lonelyplanetwpnews.imgix.net/2018/03/shutterstockRF_156828413-e1521467499238-1500x996.jpg
Couple of pandas eating bamboo. Image by Shutterstock

Giant pandas are immediately associated with China around the world. Estimates for the population in the wild range from 1500 to 3000 with the most recent large-scale study putting their number at 1864. More than 300 more live in zoos and wildlife parks around the world. Most of the wild panda bears live in the mountains of Sichuan with smaller populations in the neighbouring provinces of Gansu and Shaanxi. Unlike most bears, pandas are almost entirely herbivore and 99% of their diet is made up of bamboo shoots, of which they can eat at least 20lbs a day.

BTW, I watched that Born in China (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?54939-Pandas!&p=1300952#post1300952) Disney Nature doc. It was terrible. John Krazinski has such a tepid voice that it sucked the life out of the narration. And the footage was mediocre at best, especially compared to the stunning BBC Planet Earth series (part II just came on netflix, which is also where I watched this). There's some amusing BTS footage during the credits. That was the best part. I would've rather just watch that because the story lines they assembled for the narrative were not very engaging.

[GeneChing]

Extinct Giant Panda Lineage Discovered Thanks to DNA From 22,000-Year-Old Skull (https://gizmodo.com/extinct-giant-panda-lineage-discovered-thanks-to-dna-fr-1826874048)
Jessica Boddy
Yesterday 11:00am

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ZxnGWVHz--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/mzxv8rnxrvpxj6xvrb4e.png
This panda fossil came from Cizhutuo Cave in the Guangxi Province of China.
Photo: Yingqi Zhang and Yong Xu

DNA from a 22,000-year-old fossilized panda skull suggests an entirely separate lineage of giant pandas once roamed the area that is now southern China.

A cave explorer found the skull in Guangxi, a Chinese province that borders Vietnam. No giant pandas live there today—the giant panda population, which numbers fewer than 2,500, is confined to three provinces in central China. Research suggests the bears occupied large swaths of China in the past, but without DNA analysis, researchers haven’t been able to map out the entire giant panda family tree. This new work suggests some previously unknown branches.

“Giant pandas are one of eight bear species that exist today, and they’re really distinct from other bears,” Charlotte Lindqvist told Gizmodo. Lindqvist is an evolutionary biologist who specializes in bear genomics, but wasn’t involved in this new research. “It’s interesting to get to know more about their ancient distribution and where they are in the history of bears.”

After sequencing DNA that was lodged in the skull and comparing it to the genomes of modern-day giant pandas and 32 other ancient bears, the researchers found this bear from Guangxi shared a common ancestor with today’s giant pandas around 183,000 years ago. As the team outlined in their paper published today in Current Biology, this likely makes the newly discovered bears more of a parallel lineage rather than precursors to the giant pandas living in China now. And though the researchers couldn’t guess what the bear would have looked like, they know it was a plant-eater by analyzing carbon and nitrogen isotopes present in the fossil.

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--43eNeRqj--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/lo8m02fjeiiv6b5sgfpk.jpg
More genetic analysis could one day reveal whether the Guangxi pandas were as cute as modern ones.
Photo: Chung Sung-Jun / Staff (Getty)

In their analysis, the researchers were able to pull genetic information from the fossil by targeting the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) instead of the nuclear DNA. mtDNA is easier to grab because there are usually around 1,000 copies of it in a given cell; for nuclear DNA, just a pair exists.

However, mtDNA only tells half of the genetic story. Because it’s passed down maternally, it only gives insight into one side of the lineage. Nuclear DNA is much more informative because it contains information from both the mother’s and father’s side.

But extracting that nuclear DNA from an ancient fossil can be difficult because much of the DNA degrades over time, especially in hot, humid locales like this one—it was hard enough to get the mitochondrial DNA, said study author Qiaomei Fu.

“It’s a big responsibility to get genome-wide data,” Fu, a paleogeneticist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told Gizmodo. “We can get an understanding not only related to the present day giant panda, but also find out what happened to them in the past.”

Getting that nuclear genome of the southern giant pandas is Fu’s next goal, whether it be from this Guangxi skull or from another fossil in the same area and time period. That data would help researchers get a more complete picture of where this lineage sits in the evolutionary branches of the giant panda. “We’ll try this fossil along with others,” she said, noting that a similar feat has already been accomplished with Neanderthal DNA. First, researchers isolated the mitochondrial DNA, and later, the nuclear. “We won’t give up.”
I wonder what color they were back then.

[GeneChing]

New TV show puts foreigners in unique jobs in China (http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2018-07/05/content_55036020.htm)
chinadaily.com.cn, July 5, 2018

http://images.china.cn/site1007/2018-07/05/f0071024-cbe3-4e95-b640-a060b7f5f7a4.jpeg
[Photo provided to China Daily]

Nearly 500 expats from across the globe, including those working and studying in China, have applied to participate in a reality television show to experience unique jobs with Chinese characteristics for one day.

The jobs include taking care of pandas in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan province, becoming a kung fu apprentice at Shaolin Temple in Henan province, taking on the role of a high-speed train maintenance worker in Wuhan, Hubei province, and learning how to be chef of hand-pulled noodles in Lanzhou, Gansu province.

Only one applicant will be selected for each of the eight jobs, according to the team from "I'm in China", a State-supported media project that aims to share the culture and history of China.

Applicants with relevant work experience and are fluent in Mandarin are preferred, according to the team.

Details regarding the application were released on professional networking website LinkedIn on June 20. So far, the job at the panda base in Sichuan province has garnered the strongest response.

"We believe LinkedIn will help the TV show organizer find the best candidates, who will in turn work as ambassadors by sharing their real experiences of Chinese culture with the world," said Huang Lei, marketing and public relations director at LinkedIn China.

Here's the LinkedIn I'm in China page. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/%E4%BD%93%E9%AA%8C%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD/)

All of these jobs look pretty cool. :cool:

THREADS:
Apprentices (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?43260-Apprentices)
Pandas! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?54939-Pandas!)

[GeneChing]

PANDA PELTED WITH STONES BY TOURISTS WHO TRY TO WAKE IT UP FROM A NAP AT CHINA ZOO (https://www.newsweek.com/panda-pelted-stones-tourists-who-try-wake-it-nap-china-zoo-1037547)
BY BRENDAN COLE ON 7/23/18 AT 12:09 PM

Four tourists have been blacklisted from a Chinese nature reserve after they threw stones at a panda to try to get it to move.

The panda had been motionless under a tree where it had been resting in its enclosure at the Foping National Nature Reserve in Hanzhong, Shaanxi province, in the north-east of the country.

A group of around 20 people gathered and started shouting at the animal and when it did not move, one man started throwing stones. Footage posted on social media shows a man throwing the objects, the South China Morning Post reported.

https://s.newsweek.com/sites/www.newsweek.com/files/styles/full/public/2018/07/23/gettyimages-1000430458_0.jpg
This photo shows a panda at the Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre in Wenchuan in China's southwestern Sichuan province. Footage has emerged of tourists throwing stones at a panda in Hanzhong, in the north-east of the country.
GETTY IMAGES

The reserve’s marketing manager, Yan Xihai, said in fact there were several people throwing stones and reserve staff were forced to stop them from disturbing the seven-year-old male.

“This incident happened at a place where the pandas generally don’t come or hang around, so we don’t have any surveillance cameras installed in the area,” Yan said, according to the Post.

One visitor recorded footage that showed the tourists shouting at the bear to get its attention and to make it move.

Park manager, Zhen Xihai, said: “We will improve our management of the panda park and also fine the tourists and tourism agency involved.

“Should the tourism agency be found guilty of similar uncivilized behavior again, it and all its guides will be blacklisted and banned from the park too,” Unilad.co.uk reported.

The panda sanctuary is set over 22 acres and is home to nine-year-old Qizai, believed to be the only living panda in the world that has a rare coat of white and brown. He was discovered by researchers aged two months in a nature reserve in the Qinling Mountains after his mother had disappeared.

Pandas hold a special status in China. The country's government has made considerable efforts to conserve the species. They are no longer endangered and there are estimated to be around 2,000 giant pandas in the world.

On her final days in China, the media widely reported how first Lady melania Trump toured the Beijing Zoo and befriended a 240-pound panda named Gu Gu.

Why is melania in lower case?

[GeneChing]

well this is good news.


Giant panda conservation success of China and world’s zoos celebrated in Beijing exhibition (https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2161278/giant-panda-conservation-success-china-and-worlds-zoos)
World’s fascination with giant pandas goes back to French missionary Père David’s first account of them in 1869, and multimedia show in Beijing charts the measures taken since to conserve the iconic animals and their habitat
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 25 August, 2018, 1:49pm
UPDATED : Saturday, 25 August, 2018, 1:49pm
Elaine Yau
https://www.facebook.com/elaine.yau.3152
https://www.scmp.com/elaineyau200608

https://cdn1.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/980x551/public/images/methode/2018/08/24/6b3985ee-a76e-11e8-851a-8c4276191601_1280x720_203714.JPG?itok=YgIoWD3j

An exhibition celebrating the origins and success of China’s giant panda conservation programme opened this week in Beijing.

Film screenings, artwork and photographs are featured in the first exhibition devoted to what its organisers call “panda culture”.

It traces the giant panda’s journey into Western consciousness, recalling how French priest and zoologist Armand David, known as Père David, was the first foreigner to bring them to the attention of the West. The French missionary described the body of a white bear with black legs and ears in his journal in 1869 while stationed at the Dengchi Valley Cathedral in Yaan, a city in Sichuan province.

https://cdn2.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/images/methode/2018/08/24/3fd68726-a76e-11e8-851a-8c4276191601_1320x770_203714.JPG
Launching the exhibition, Yang Chao, director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, said the threat to giant panda populations had been reduced through conservation work.

Panda lanterns on display at the China Giant Panda International Culture Week Exhibition. Lanterns will be a common sight next month as China marks the Mid-Autumn Festival. Photo: Elaine Yau

“Their number rose from 1,114 in the 1980s to 1,864 [now],” he says. “After decades of efforts, China’s captive panda breeding programme has overcome the obstacles of [female] pandas being seldom in heat, pandas’ difficult breeding and insemination and the low survival rate of cubs.”

The first captive baby panda was born in Beijing Zoo in 1963. At the end of last year, there were 518 captive giant pandas in China. Xiang Xiang was the world’s first captive panda released into the wild in 2006.

Chao said nine of the captive pandas have so far been released into the wild, and seven were still living.

In addition to the captive pandas in China, more than 100 giant pandas live in zoos around the world. Attending the launch ceremony for the exhibition, Austrian ambassador to China Friedrich Stift said Vienna’s Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world’s oldest zoo, received two pandas named Yang Yang and Long Hui from China in 2003 for joint research.

https://cdn2.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/images/methode/2018/08/24/73f31448-a76e-11e8-851a-8c4276191601_1320x770_203714.JPG
A display at the China Giant Panda International Culture Week Exhibition shows Beijing Zoo staff in 1963 with the first captive-born panda. Photo: Elaine Yau

Yang Yang gave birth to a cub in 2007, the first panda conceived naturally in Europe, he said.

“In 2010 another young panda was born, followed by another baby in 2013. A highlight was the birth of twin babies in 2016. Yang Yang succeeded to raise the twins without any human assistance, which is unique around the world,” Stift said.

“Of the five pandas born in Vienna, three have already been returned to China. The twins, Fu Feng and Fu Ban, will be brought to China in November. It is part of the contract that after two years of their birth, the pandas have to be given back to their homeland in China.”

https://cdn1.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/images/methode/2018/08/24/a8b38b9a-a76e-11e8-851a-8c4276191601_1320x770_203714.JPG
Xiang Xiang was the first captive giant panda released into the wild, in 2006. Photo: courtesy of the China Giant Panda International Culture Week Exhibition

Stift said that since the death of male panda Long Hui in 2016 from cancer of the gall bladder, Austria had been working to get a new male panda so more pandas can be born and raised at the zoo.

“Pandas are the most popular attraction at the zoo where more than two million visitors come every year to see them,” the ambassador said.

Chao said the number of nature conservation sanctuaries for pandas in China had risen from 15 in the 1980s to 67 now, but lamented a lack of co-ordination between some of them.

“China is building a giant panda national park to [better] adjust the animals’ distribution to attain their stable propagation,” Chao said. “The habitats of giant pandas also contain over 8,000 species of wild flora and fauna, including the golden snub-nosed monkey. So the construction of the park will not only help preserve giant pandas, but also boost the biodiversity of the whole region.”

https://cdn3.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/images/methode/2018/08/24/bd493ffa-a76e-11e8-851a-8c4276191601_1320x770_203714.JPG
Yang Chao, director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Photo: Elaine Yau

Co-organised by the State Council Information Office, the State Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the provincial governments of Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu, the China Giant Panda International Culture Week Exhibition runs until August 26 at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing.

An accompanying photography exhibition is being held at Zhangwang Hutong in Old Gulou Street, where 25 photos are displayed to show the pristine environment of Sichuan, the artificial insemination of pandas and programmes to release captive pandas into the wild.

[GeneChing]

Fur-Sale! Painting panda's abstract artwork hits the market (https://abcnews.go.com/International/fur-sale-painting-pandas-abstract-artwork-hits-market/story?id=57428178)
By TIFFANY HAGLER-GEARD Aug 27, 2018, 1:10 PM ET

https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/paintings-panda-rt-3-thg-180827_hpMain_12x5_992.jpg
PHOTO: Giant Panda Yang Yang uses finger paint and a brush to create a picture at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 10, 2018. Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters

There's a painting panda at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo and her abstract artwork is selling for more than $500 a pop.

Yang Yang uses black paint with white backgrounds, which seems to be a favorite color scheme for the zoo's giant panda.

https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/paintings-panda-rt-4-thg-180827_hpEmbed_2_16x13_992.jpg
Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters
Giant Panda Yang Yang holds a brush behind pictures it painted at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 10, 2018.

With a zookeeper acting as her easel, the panda creates minimalist splotch art reminiscent of the American abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock.

https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/paintings-panda-rt-1-thg-180827_hpEmbed_7x5_992.jpg
Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters
Giant Panda Yang Yang uses finger paint and a brush to create a picture at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 10, 2018.

One hundred of her adorable pieces will be sold online for around $560 each to fund a picture book about the Vienna zoo's pandas.

https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/paintings-panda-rt-3-thg-180827_hpMain_4x3_992.jpg
Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters
Giant Panda Yang Yang uses finger paint and a brush to create a picture at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 10, 2018.
Yang Yang, 18, has given birth to 5 pandas, with one set of twins over the years.

https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/paintings-panda-rt-2-thg-180827_hpEmbed_3x4_992.jpg
Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters
Giant Panda Yang Yang uses finger paint and a brush to create a picture at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 10, 2018.

Oooh. I want one of these. A bit out of my price range though.

[GeneChing]

At least it's about Hong Kong too.


Pandas may provide a population lesson (https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2173751/pandas-may-provide-population-lesson)
Ocean Park pandas Ying Ying and Le Le are struggling to breed and could be heading back to their native habitat in a bid to encourage them
The stress of Hong Kong is likewise a factor in couples in the city delaying having children or deciding against the idea
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 17 November, 2018, 10:37pm
UPDATED : Saturday, 17 November, 2018, 10:37pm
SCMP Editorial

https://cdn4.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/980x551/public/images/methode/2018/11/17/a7f4745e-ea75-11e8-bfde-9434090d4df7_1280x720_223718.JPG?itok=27H_Wp2t

The giant panda pair at Ocean Park have much in common with the typical Hong Kong couple; they are not that interested in having offspring. Pandas, just like Hongkongers, have a low birth rate. The reasons may not be identical, but the solution could well be the same. Families need the right environment to thrive.

For pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, the key could well be heading back to their native habitat in Sichuan province to encourage them to start a family. Pandas are notoriously difficult to breed, but in captivity, the rate of having cubs falls to just 26 per cent of when in the wild. In the 11 years the pandas have called Hong Kong home, Ying Ying has had two phantom pregnancies and miscarried once. Biology is at play, but being the star attraction and a public favourite surely does not help; put simply, it is stressful.

The stress of Hong Kong is likewise a factor in couples in the city delaying having children or deciding against the idea. Work hours are long, flats small and cramped and children an expensive proposition. Unsurprisingly, the fertility rate is one of the lowest in the world, being just 1.13, well below the 2.1 per couple necessary to keep the population growing. With Hong Kong’s development and growth in mind, authorities have for years been looking for ways to encourage couples to have children and attract people from elsewhere to make the city home.

Improving living conditions would seem the sensible approach and there is a push in that direction through increasing the length of maternity and paternity leave. A suggestion that Ying Ying and Le Le would have a better chance of mating by sending them to the Wolong panda conservation area in Sichuan is in the same vein; reconstructed with Hong Kong funding after the 2008 earthquake, the sanctuary would give them quality time together in a less stressful environment. With the breeding period being 130 days, they could perhaps stay there for a year and a replacement pair of pandas could be loaned to Ocean Park. If the approach is successful and Ying ying gives birth, the happy family that is eventually brought back to Hong Kong could serve as a useful lesson in boosting Hong Kong’s population.

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L9qgzkBkFQ

[GeneChing]

http://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/nike-air-max-97-panda-1.jpg

THIS NIKE AIR MAX 97 COLORWAY IS GIVING US MAD ‘KUNG FU PANDA’ VIBES (http://thesource.com/2019/01/10/nike-air-max-97-panda/)
KEENAN HIGGINS JANUARY 10, 2019

Everyone in the sneaker community is celebrating the Chinese New Year from a different perspective, from Pharrell’s adidas BYW collab to Nike’s special iteration of the Air Max 95. However, whether intentional or not, the Swoosh also has a pair of Air Max 97s arriving soon inspired by one of, if not the biggest mascot in Chinese culture: the panda.

http://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/nike-air-max-97-panda-3.jpg

The core black & white colorway is balanced out throughout with an almost vortex-like swirl pattern. Of course, that’s mainly due to the shoe’s circular construction and textured upper that gives it even more dimension. The leather mudguard is a nice way to switch up the otherwise fully-textile/mesh build, and where the two colorways were placed in conjunction to one another proves that the Nike designers over in Oregon are definitely doing things right over at the headquarters. It might be the Year of the Pig, but the panda will always be a true symbol of China — word to Desiigner!

The panda-inspired Nike Air Max 97 seen here is expected to drop in the next few weeks via select retailers and Nike.com. Get a better look below:

http://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/nike-air-max-97-panda-4.jpg
http://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/nike-air-max-97-panda-5.jpg
http://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/nike-air-max-97-panda-2.jpg


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keenan Higgins Lifestyle Editor NYC-based photojournalist, self-proclaimed sneakerhead, and fiend for legit streetwear — #nohypebeast though! — that works daily to seamlessly link style, art, urban culture, and music on a common platform.



Hold the phone. It's 'panda' because it's B&W? Why not yin yang? Or why not skunk for that matter? I don't see it.

[GeneChing]

woah. :eek:


Chinese nature reserve releases world’s first image of an albino giant panda in the wild (https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3011805/chinese-nature-reserve-releases-worlds-first-image-albino-giant)
All-white beast spotted wandering through the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan province
Bear is probably one or two years old and looks perfectly healthy, scientist says
Zhuang Pinghui
Published: 8:30pm, 25 May, 2019

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/methode/2019/05/25/28caa308-7ed4-11e9-8126-9d0e63452fe9_image_hires_193838.JPG?itok=ONvEI9nW
The all-white bear was captured on film in a nature reserve in southwest China. Photo: Weibo

China on Saturday released the world’s first ever photograph of an albino giant panda in the wild.
The image of the bear walking through the Wolong National Nature Reserve in the southwestern province of Sichuan last month was captured by a motion activated camera at an altitude of about 2,000 metres above sea level, China News Service reported.
It clearly shows the animal’s unique physical characteristics including its snowy white hair and claws, and red eyes.
“This is the first time a fully albino wild giant panda has been caught on camera, indicating there must be a gene mutation in the giant panda population,” Li Sheng, a researcher at Peking University’s School of Life Sciences, was quoted as saying.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/05/25/288bf766-7ed4-11e9-8126-9d0e63452fe9_1320x770_193838.JPG
A scientist guessed the panda to be between one and two years old. Photo: Weibo

“Judging from the photo, the panda is physically strong and taking steady steps, suggesting the gene mutation is not affecting its normal life.”
While the mutation was not harmful to the panda in physiological terms, Li said it did have some downsides such as the bear being more conspicuous in its environment and being more sensitive to the sun.
It would not have a significant effect on the panda’s activity or ability to reproduce, he said, adding that the animal was probably between one and two years old.
Officials from the nature reserve said they would install more motion cameras to help monitor the rare bear’s growth and interactions with the rest of the panda population, and to see if it produced any offspring.
The albinism mutation is recessive so would only appear in the bear’s offspring if both parents had it, the report said.

[GeneChing]

Giant panda's sudden death in Thai zoo sparks Chinese investigation (https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/18/asia/giant-panda-thailand-death-intl-scli/index.html)
By Amy Woodyatt, CNN
Updated 6:36 AM ET, Wed September 18, 2019

https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/190918042948-chuang-chuang-2007-exlarge-169.jpg
Officials said Chuang Chuang, pictured here in 2007, collapsed Monday in his enclosure at the Chiang Mai Zoo shortly after a meal of bamboo leaves.

(CNN)A beloved giant panda on loan to Thailand has died suddenly in a northern Thai zoo, prompting an investigation by Chinese experts.
Chuang Chuang, a 19-year-old male giant panda, was given to the Southeast Asian country in 2003 "to represent the relationship between China and Thailand," along with a female panda, Lin Hui, according to Chiang Mai Zoo's website.
Chinese state news agency Xinhua said the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda would send experts to Thailand to work with their Thai counterparts to establish the cause of the panda's death.
Thais woke up to the news of Chuang Chuang's death on Tuesday, with many mourning his passing on social media.
Chiang Mai Zoo director Wutthichai Muangmun said that Chuang Chuang was eating bamboo before he died, according to AFP.
"He was walking around, but staggered and fell to the ground," he told reporters.
The relationship between Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui became a source of public fascination as attempts were made to get the pair to mate.
Chuang Chuang was put on a low-carb diet and shown videos of mating pandas, but eventually the zoo resorted to artificial insemination and Lin Hui gave birth in 2009, AFP news agency reported.
A panda's average life span is 14 to 20 years in the wild, but the animals can live as long as 30 years in captivity, according to the World Wildlife Foundation.
Giant pandas were once regarded as endangered, but were reclassified as a vulnerable species in 2016.
Births are still significant for conservation efforts, with the animals famously hard to breed and female pandas only able to get pregnant once a year during a 24- to 72-hour window.

CNN's Jack Guy and Claudia Otto contributed to this report. suspicious...

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c837ZqtgQxU

[GeneChing]

Chinese 'panda' pet cafe raises eyebrows (https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-50141841)
By News from Elsewhere...
...as found by BBC Monitoring
8 hours ago

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/143AE/production/_109326828_panda.png
HONGXING NEWS
A pet cafe in China's Sichuan province lets people play with dogs dyed to look like pandas.

​Animal cafes have been springing up all over the world for the last two decades as a place for animal lovers to enjoy a meal alongside their furry friends.

But a new "panda" cafe in Chengdu in south-western China - internationally known as the home of the giant panda - is raising eyebrows and a lot of concern.

According to the Chengdu Economic Daily, a cafe recently opened in Chengdu, seems at first glance to be home to six giant panda cubs.

But the "panda" cafe is - in fact - all bark and no bite because on closer inspection, it turns out they are actually the Chow Chow breed of dogs, which have been dyed to look like China's national animal.

'Could damage their fur and skin'

The owner of the cafe, Mr Huang, says that as well as serving food and drink, the cafe provides a dyeing service.

He tells Hongxing News that he imports his dye from Japan and has hired special staff for dyeing the dogs.

"Every time we dye it costs 1,500 yuan [$211; £163]," he says. "The dye is really expensive." He says that this is to ensure the quality of the dye, and says that it in no way affects the animals.

Hongxing News says that a short video inside the cafe had raised awareness of it nationally and has boosted visitor figures.

But it has also raised a lot of concern. One vet, Li Daibing, told Hongxing News that he urged people not to dye their pets, saying: "This could damage their fur and skin."

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/F58E/production/_109326826_gettyimages-1180602673-594x594.jpg
VCG
Chengdu has become a popular tourist site for seeing the vulnerable species, and national Chinese treasure: the giant panda.

'Has become normal'

Dyeing pets became a full-blown craze in China in the early 2010s, first for competitions, but then amidst a domestic wave of "extreme dog pampering".

Since, however, there has been a growing consciousness in China about animal ethics and testing. Many of the thousands of social media users commenting on the popular Sina Weibo microblog have voiced their concern about such treatments being used on animals.

Many call the idea "crazy" and note that hair dye can "damage people's hair and scalp", so could similarly affect a dog.

But others argue that "it's really cute", and say that they perceive animal dyeing "has become normal".

It's not just China either - earlier this year, the Latitude Festival in Suffolk was criticised by the RSPCA after a flock of sheep were dyed pink.

Reporting by Kerry Allen

THREADS
Pandas! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?54939-Pandas!)
Chinese Counterfeits, Fakes & Knock-Offs (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?57980-Chinese-Counterfeits-Fakes-amp-Knock-Offs)

[GeneChing]

Bye bye, Bei Bei: Beloved giant panda is leaving DC for China in a private jet (https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/17/us/bei-bei-giant-panda-national-zoo-trnd/index.html)
By Theresa Waldrop, CNN
Updated 9:53 AM ET, Mon November 18, 2019

(CNN)No cramped leg space and blah entertainment in coach for Bei Bei, the giant panda at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in DC. He's off to China this week -- and he's traveling in style.

As if flying in his own Boeing 777F private plane dubbed the Panda Express is not enough, handlers will be feeding him his favorite treats during the trip. And the zoo is asking for song recommendations for a mixed tape for the long trip -- just change the title of the original from "baby" to "Bei Bei."


Smithsonian
✔
@smithsonian
If you were a giant panda taking a 16-hour flight to China, what would you want on your playlist? As we say #ByeByeBeiBei with our @NationalZoo, we invite you to change "baby" to "Bei Bei" and share your picks with #BeiBeiMixTape.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJXEqfoUYAASi7m?format=jpg&name=medium

Cassette tape with #BeiBeiMixTape written on the label.
164
5:33 AM - Nov 15, 2019
Twitter Ads info and privacy
119 people are talking about this
"Bei Bei, It's You," and "Bei Bei, Love" were just a few of the suggestions so far.

Bei Bei was born at the zoo in 2015, and an agreement with China stipulates that all cubs born at the zoo must move to China at age 4, the zoo said on its website. He leaves Tuesday, and his farewell has become quite the affair.

https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150926084527-baby-panda-bei-bei-washington-exlarge-169.jpg
Baby Bei Bei in September 2015.

The zoo has been holding events since Monday to mark his departure and fans from all over the nation flocked there to say goodbye this weekend, CNN affiliate WJLA reported. And the zoo is sharing a video of Bei Bei's most memorable moments.
"Bei Bei is part of our family," said Steve Monfort, a zoo director. "Our team has cared for him, learned from him and, along with millions, loved watching him grow."

https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/160205073141-panda-bei-bei-outside-play-exlarge-169.jpg
Bei Bei playing at the zoo.

FedEx has put giant decals of a panda on the plane, just for Bei Bei's ride. He will be the only "cargo" on the direct flight, FedEx said on Twitter -- not counting the 66 pounds of bamboo, snacks and water.
Even the timing of trip is for his own comfort. His handlers waited until the heat of summer passed so he could be more comfortable on the long haul flight, the zoo said.
Chinese cafe paints dogs to look like giant pandas
The agreement between the National Zoo and China is part of a conservation program designed to save the giant panda, listed as "vulnerable" in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are now about 1,800 of them in the wild, the zoo said.

All pandas outside of PRC are on loan, not just cubs, and can be recalled at any time.

[GeneChing]

Dutch zoo celebrates pandas finally hooking up by posting sex pic online (https://shanghai.ist/2020/01/21/dutch-zoo-celebrates-pandas-finally-hooking-up-by-posting-sex-pic-online/?fbclid=IwAR1rTiWdTLEyJuwAFghP7gRFVFiIi6uxIlsRQdzY 5we-I2TcJ9wN077uT6A)
They had been trying to get the pair to mate for two years
by Alex Linder January 21, 2020 in News

https://i0.wp.com/shanghai.ist/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/panda-sex44.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1

Azoo in the Netherlands is celebrating two giant pandas finally doing the deed after more than two long years of foreplay.

Xing Ya and Wu Wen arrived at the Ouwehands Dierenpark in Rhenen in 2017. Since then, the two have lived together in their award-winning enclosure but hadn’t shown any interest in breaking the place in with some hanky place, much to the zookeepers’ distress.

However, that all changed on Saturday with cameras capturing the momentous occasion. On Monday, the zoo shared a screencap on Facebook for the world to see. Because, as usual, pandas have no right to privacy.

The zoo will remain in a state of excitement for the next few weeks as keeper’s test Wu Wen’s urine to see if she has become pregnant. Female pandas are only fertile for a few days each year, so this is essentially the pair’s only chance until next year.

“At the end of last week, we knew Wu Wen was ready and since that moment the keepers have been busy encouraging the animals in a special enclosure,” said the zoo.

According to Dutch news outlets, that encouragement included dousing each panda’s sleeping area with the other’s urine, training Xing Ya to stand on his back feet, and making the poor guy watch videos of other pandas mating.

panda porn :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

If there's one thing the Chinese are good at, it's talking in code. ;)


‘Noodles’ and ‘Pandas’: Chinese People Are Using Secret Code to Talk About Coronavirus Online (https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/epgqpj/chinese-internet-users-have-some-ingenious-ways-of-getting-around-coronavirus-censorship)
"Vietnamese pho noodles," anyone?
By David Gilbert
Mar 6 2020, 5:35am

https://video-images.vice.com/test-uploads/articles/5e623bc503a008009d20ddca/lede/1583500686058-AP_20066382989579.jpeg

Chinese citizens angry at their government’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak have come up with some ingenious ways to express their outrage and circumvent the extreme censorship measures imposed by Beijing.

In a bid to control the narrative, Beijing authorities have censored sensitive topics, silenced WeChat accounts, tracked down those who are sharing criticism of the government, and disappeared citizen journalists.

But all those efforts still haven't silenced people online, and angry citizens are now relying on coded words and phrases to express their dissatisfaction.

The most common example is “zf” which is the abbreviation for the Chinese word “government. To refer to the police, the letters “jc” are used, while “guobao” (meaning "national treasure") or panda images are used to represent the domestic security bureau. Citizens talking about the Communist Party’s Publicity Department use “Ministry of Truth” from the George Orwell novel "1984," instead.

One of the ways Beijing has sought to stem the flow of information out of China is by cracking down on the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) as a way of circumventing its censorship system, known as the Great Firewall. So discussing this technology online has also become taboo.

Instead, citizens have been talking about how to use the technology by referring to “Vietnamese pho noodles” or “ladders.”

China’s embattled president Xi Jinping is among the most censored topics on Chinese social media. A Citizen Lab report this week showed that WeChat ramped up censorship efforts in recent weeks by adding a number of Xi-related words and phrases to its blacklist.

In an attempt to get around these restrictions, Chinese citizens have begun referring to their president as a “narrow neck bottle” because the Chinese pronunciation of the phrase is similar to that of "Xi Jinping."

But despite the obscure nature of this reference, China’s censors managed to pick it up when they removed a question posting on Zhihu (China’s version of Quora) asking “how to wash a narrow neck bottle?”

“To fully appreciate conversations on China’s social media platforms, merely knowing Chinese is not enough,” an Amnesty International researcher located in China who did not want to be identified told VICE News. “To combat systematic internet censorship, netizens in China have created a new vocabulary to discuss ‘sensitive issues.’ This language keeps evolving as the government constantly expands its list of prohibited terms online. Those not keeping up with the trend could easily be left confused.”

Part of the reason for China’s strict censorship of online comments is that the government is keen to change the way the world is talking about coronavirus and in particular China’s role in the outbreak.

Beijing wants to dispel the suggestion that coronavirus is a Chinese virus and instead position itself as the country that saved the world from a much worse situation. China is hitting out at other country’s failure to take the necessary measures to contain outbreaks, particularly taking aim at the U.S. and Donald Trump.

On Friday, China reported that all new cases of coronavirus came from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, further bolstering the government’s claims that it has managed to get the outbreak under control.

But there has been an unprecedented backlash against the government’s attempts to portray the situation in Hubei province as a positive one, and on Thursday that online backlash spilled over into the real world, with a very rare public display of criticism of the government.

During a tour of Wuhan, a city of 12 million people that has been in lockdown for six weeks, residents locked in their apartments openly berated a senior government official.

Footage of the incident that has been spread virally online shows residents shouting “Everything is fake” and “It’s all fake” as officials show Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan around the city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak.

Cover: An employee clad in a protective suit waits on customers at a supermarket in Beijing, China on March 6, 2020. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)

THREADS
COVID-19 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia)
Noodles (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69740-Noodles)
Pandas (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?54939-Pandas!)

[GeneChing]

Goings On
Our Columnists
The Miracle of Breeding a Panda Cub During a Pandemic (https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-miracle-of-breeding-a-panda-cub-in-a-pandemic)
By Robin Wright
August 22, 2020

https://media.newyorker.com/photos/5f414de2840e569c23e39066/master/w_2560%2Cc_limit/Wright-Panda01.jpg
The National Zoo used eight hundred million frozen sperm to help its aging panda matriarch, Mei Xiang, defy the one-per-cent chance she would give birth.Photograph by Linda Davidson / The Washington Post / Getty

In a year of tortured politics, nationwide protests, and a highly contagious pandemic, our troubled republic finally has something to celebrate. Washington, D.C., has a panda cub. Mei Xiang, a mellow matriarch who weighs in at two hundred and thirty pounds, gave birth to a tiny, hairless pink cub weighing just ounces, at 6:35 p.m. Friday, at the National Zoo. The wee panda, the size of a butter stick, introduced itself with a howling squawk. The birth defied the zoological odds—Mei’s advanced age, the life-long failure of her partner panda, Tian Tian, to figure out how to mate, the zoo’s inability to extract fresh sperm from him fast, and, especially, the many complications from the covid-19 pandemic. A week after the pandemic forced the National Zoo to close, on March 14th, Mei began to ovulate. Most of the zoo’s staff were ordered to stay at home or reduce hours. In a race against time, a small team of reproduction specialists—all willing to risk the rules of social distancing—thawed eight hundred million sperm to artificially inseminate Mei, knowing that it probably wouldn’t work. “It’s overcoming the odds, and if there was ever a need for a sense of overcoming the odds, it’s now,” Brandie Smith, the zoo’s deputy director, told me. “People need this. It’s the story of hope, and the story of success, and the story of joy.”

The average lifespan of a panda—the world’s rarest and most endearing bear—is between fourteen and twenty years in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund. (The panda is its logo.) Mei is twenty-two years old. “Given her age, she had less than one-per-cent chance of giving birth,” Smith said. Only one older panda in recorded history—anywhere in the world—has had a cub. She was twenty-three; she lived in China, the homeland of the world’s pandas.

Pandas are notoriously poor at reproduction, which is one of the many reasons they were long endangered. Today, there are less than two thousand in the wild. To encourage sex, panda handlers in China have even tried giving males Viagra and showing them “panda porn”—videos of other pandas having sex—to the breeding pairs. Females only go into estrus once a year—and only for twenty-four to seventy-two hours. Unlike with humans, and many other mammals, including leopards, gazelles, and antelope, zoologists do not know how to induce or manipulate pandas’ fertility cycles. “We have to wait for nature to take its course,” Dr. Pierre Comizzoli, one of the zoo’s veterinary specialists in species preservation, told me.

This year’s timing couldn’t have been worse. Helping a panda reproduce is labor-intensive. Just determining if and when Mei goes into estrus is tricky, and even harder during a pandemic. The zoo has to collect her urine—with a syringe off whatever surface she pees on, when the two-hundred-and-thirty-pound bear isn’t looking—to test her hormone levels at the endocrinology laboratory. This year, her hormones peaked on March 22nd, during lockdown.

The zoo veterinary team had to move fast, because mating wasn’t possible. In 2004, when Mei hit puberty, the zoo tried to get her and Tian Tian to breed naturally. But Tian kept pushing Mei’s body down, rather than lifting it up to penetrate properly. The zoo got creative. It built wooden platforms and tried plastic cylinders to boost her body into the right position. But the two giant bears never did consummate. So the zoo, which has pandas, in large part, to study the reproduction and the preservation of the species, turned to artificial insemination.

In the past, trying to get Mei pregnant has required two teams employing the same equipment and catheters used for intrauterine insemination of humans—with a catch. “These are wild animals,” Comizzoli, who leads the operation, said. “You have to sedate them. They are big carnivores.” One team would sedate Tian and extract fresh semen. “Always better to get fresh semen, whatever the species,” Comizzoli, who has also successfully artificially inseminated an elephant, noted. A second team would anesthetize Mei, empty her bladder with one catheter, then deposit the semen in her uterus with another. Pandas also have notoriously small uteruses. “It goes extremely fast,” he said. “It takes a matter of minutes to inject the semen.”

The pandemic changed all that. The zoo assembled only one, smaller team. “This year, we wanted to minimize the number of procedures, so we had to go with frozen semen in our cryopreservation bank,” Comizzoli said. It had been there for five years. To help widen the genetic pool, the zoo has in the past inseminated frozen semen from pandas in China as well as Tian’s semen—double inseminations to increase the odds of a pregnancy. (Some artificial inseminations in China have used semen frozen from pandas who have since died.) But the three cubs Mei has produced since 2005 have all been from Tian’s fresh semen.

The zoo’s team risked their lives to inseminate eight hundred million sperm cells—from the billions the zoo has stored—hoping that one would reach and fertilize the one or two eggs that Mei produced. The zoo was skeptical. “The truth is that we know, in terms of biology, that after the age of twenty, it’s pretty advanced for reproduction,” he said. “Our female is at that time of life when, yes, there are less chances of carrying a healthy fetus.” Even at a younger age, Mei’s offspring had problems; only three of her six cubs have survived.

https://media.newyorker.com/photos/5f414d36455009552ece4625/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/Wright-Panda02.jpg
An overhead blackandwhite view of the panda Mei Xiang sitting in an enclosure with hay on the floor after giving birth
Mei Xiang, after giving birth to her panda cub.Photograph from AP / Shutterstock

But on August 14th, Mei let zookeepers do a rare ultrasound in exchange for some of her beloved honey water; she usually balks at the latter stage of a pregnancy or pseudo-pregnancy (of which she has had several). It revealed fetal tissue. “We are totally surprised,” zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson said, in an announcement. “Reproductively speaking, this is like a miracle.” The pregnancy was big news across Washington, too. Views on the zoo’s popular panda cam soared by twelve hundred per cent. On Friday, after news got out that she was in labor, the system repeatedly crashed.

Since China gifted the first pair of pandas to the United States, in 1972, the bears have become the city’s unofficial but beloved symbol—replacing both the donkeys and elephants that symbolize the parties that rule (at least technically) from the capital. Over the past week, the zoo set up a nursery, complete with three incubators, outside Mei’s nesting den. They prepared for the possibility of her having twins—and rejecting one. Twice, she has given birth to two cubs and one has died. Panda mothers often will nurse and pay attention to only one cub.

The contingency plan was to keep one in the incubator and try to swap it every few hours to let her nurse both. “If she has two, our plan is to swap,” Smith told me. “You have to sneak up on a giant panda and reach your hand under her belly and take one of the cubs off her. This is a bear that can crush a femur. It’s a dangerous endeavor.” If Mei refused to nurse one of the cubs, then the zoo would hand-raise it until it was viable on its own. The previous cub, the mischievous and spirited Bei Bei, had a twin, but it soon died despite the zoo’s efforts.

The future of Washington’s pandas is uncertain. The new cub—whose gender may not be known for weeks—arrived in the midst of contract negotiations with China. The pandas are technically owned by China and leased to the zoo. Mei and Tian originally cost a million dollars a year; now the zoo pays half a million annually. Each cub has to be turned over to China by its fourth birthday, under the zoo’s existing agreement with China. Bei Bei, an adventurous bear who dared fate by climbing high into trees even after he reached two hundred pounds, went back last November. The current lease on Mei and Tian expires on December 7th. The National Zoo, one of the few free animal parks in the United States, has to raise the funds to pay its panda fees to China, plus cover the costs of facilities, staff, food, and panda health care—including artificial insemination. Each panda eats some forty pounds of bamboo a day. For all the celebrating, the new cub was also bittersweet for Washington. “No matter what, this will be Mei’s last cub. It’s the end of an era,” Smith told me. “We’re a little melancholy because these pandas have meant so much to the city, to the zoo, and to us as individuals.”



Robin Wright has been a contributing writer to The New Yorker since 1988. She is the author of “Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World.”
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threads
pandas (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?54939-Pandas)
covid (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia)

[GeneChing]

Giant pandas no longer classed as endangered after population growth, China says (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/giant-pandas-no-longer-classed-endangered-after-population-growth-china-n1273442)
Now that the number of pandas in the wild has reached 1,800, Chinese officials have reclassified them as "vulnerable."
https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1240w,f_auto,q_auto:best/newscms/2021_27/3489810/210709-pandas-mc-10262.JPG
After years of conservation efforts, Chinese officials have declared that giant pandas are no longer "endangered," but are still "vulnerable." Drew Angerer / Getty Images file
July 9, 2021, 6:53 AM PDT
By Christina Ching Yin Chan
HONG KONG — Giant pandas are no longer an endangered species, Chinese officials have announced, in a massive win for conservation efforts in the country.

The number of giant pandas living in the wild has reached more than 1,800, meaning the species has been reclassified as “vulnerable,” Chinese officials said earlier this week.

The new classification comes after Beijing “carried out some major activities and measures to protect biodiversity and achieved remarkable results,” said Cui Shuhong, head of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, at a press conference Wednesday.

It is notoriously difficult to get pandas to breed both in captivity and in the wild.

He also credited tightened law enforcement supervision and a major crackdown on illegal activities on nature reserves.

Experts say China managed to preserve the animals, considered a national symbol, by taking measures that allow humans and pandas to coexist.

Becky Shu Chen, technical advisor at the Zoological Society of London, pointed out in a phone interview that most of the nature reserves are so huge that there are still populated human villages inside them.

She credited the Chinese government with teaching villagers agricultural activities that did not destroy the panda's natural habitat, such as in Changchun, the home of a panda zoo, where locals sold “panda honey.”

https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1120w,f_auto,q_auto:best/newscms/2021_27/3489812/210709-pandas-mc-1026.JPG
Giant panda Bei Bei eats in its enclosure at the Bifengxia base in Yaan, Sichuan province, in 2019.AFP - Getty Images file
The villagers “protected the home of pandas, which is one of the reasons that they are now downgraded to ‘vulnerable,’” said Chen.

In China, the giant panda has long been considered a national treasure and has been a protected species since the implementation of the wildlife conservation law in 1958.

This isn’t the first time the species has been reclassified. In 2016 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified the animals from “endangered” to “vulnerable” on the global list of species at risk of extinction.

Chinese officials bristled at the move at the time, maintaining that the animals were still under threat and the conservation efforts were not at a point where they could be relaxed yet.

Chinese social media users were pleased with this week's news, saying it was not only proof that conservation efforts had paid off, but also an indication of the economic success of China.

“With our country getting wealthier, we have money to put on environmental and animal protection, just like what the Western countries did,” wrote one person on Weibo, China’s most popular social media platform.

Good news.

[highlypotion]

Not gonna lie, I start loving pandas when I watch Kungfu panda. lol

[YinOrYan]

Not gonna lie, I start loving pandas when I watch Kungfu panda. lol

Same here. I've recorded seventy-some episodes of it and 3 movies. Hope they make more...

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdKzUbAiswE

threads
Turning-Red (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72276-Turning-Red)
Pandas! (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?54939-Pandas!)

[GeneChing]

Happy National Panda Day!


‘Kung Fu Panda’: Jack Black to Reprise Role in New Netflix Animated Series (https://www.tvinsider.com/1036515/kung-fu-panda-jack-black-to-reprise-role-in-new-netflix-animated-series/)
Martin Holmes
29 MINS AGO
https://www.tvinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/kung-fu-panda-the-dragon-night-image-4-1420x798.jpg
Netflix
Netflix is celebrating National Panda Day with the announcement that Jack Black is returning as the Kung Fu Panda, Po, for a new animated series, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.

Black confirmed the news on his social media pages on Wednesday (March 16), preparing fans for another globe-trotting adventure with the heroic yet accident-prone giant panda Po. Helmed by DreamWorks Animation, the new series is executive produced by Shaunt Nigoghossian (Bunnicula) and Peter Hastings, who previously developed the 2011 Nickelodeon spinoff series Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.

The story of the new series revolves around a mysterious pair of weasels who set their sights on a collection of four powerful weapons. It’s up to Po to leave his home and head out on a quest for redemption and justice. On his journey, Po finds himself partnered up with a no-nonsense English knight named Wandering Blade. These two mismatched warriors embark on an epic adventure to save the world — and they may even learn a thing or two from each other along the way.

Kung Fu Panda was first released in 2008 and was directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne. It starred the voices of Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Seth Rogen, and Lucy Liu. It became the third highest-grossing film of 2008, launching a multimedia franchise along with two movie sequels and two TV series, the previously mentioned Legends of Awesomeness and Prime Video’s Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny.

The Dragon Knight marks the first time Black has reprised his role for a TV spinoff — only Liu and James Hong reprised their film roles for the Legends of Awesomeness. Chris Geere also stars as Klaus, alongside Della Saba as Veruca.

Check out the first look images from the new series below.

https://www.tvinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/kung-fu-panda-the-dragon-night-image-3.jpg
Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight: Season 1. Jack Black as Po in Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight: Season 1. Cr. NETFLIX © 2022

https://www.tvinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/kung-fu-panda-the-dragon-night-image-2.jpg
Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight: Season 1. (L-R) Chris Geere as Klaus, Della Saba as Veruca, and Jack Black as Po in Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight: Season 1. Cr. NETFLIX © 2022

https://www.tvinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/kung-fu-panda-the-dragon-night-image-1.jpg
Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight: Season 1. (L-R) Jack Black as Po and Della Saba as Veruca in Kung Fu Panda: Dragon Knight: Season 1. Cr. NETFLIX © 2022

threads
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72285-Kung-Fu-Panda-The-Dragon-Knight)
Kung-Fu-Panda (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?39752-Kung-Fu-Panda)
Pandas! (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?54939-Pandas!)

[GeneChing]

Rusty the red panda, who briefly ran free in D.C. in 2013, has unexpectedly died (https://www.npr.org/2022/10/21/1130413739/rusty-the-red-panda-who-briefly-ran-free-in-d-c-in-2013-has-unexpectedly-died)
October 21, 202212:57 AM ET
HALISIA HUBBARD

https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/10/20/gettyimages-171437995-aa6e98e53d7a457894906e4fc71224952c5833e4-s800-c85.webp
In this handout provided by the Smithsonian National Zoo, a male red panda named Rusty is seen in his exhibit in the Smithsonian National Zoo in 2013 in Washington, D.C.
Handout/Getty Images

Some who were in Washington, D.C., in 2013 are mourning the loss of Rusty the red panda, who captivated the city when he escaped from the Smithsonian's National Zoo almost a decade ago. He was 10 years old.

He died on Oct. 14. Pueblo Zoo, where he was living, currently does not know the cause of death, Sandy Morrison, marketing and communications manager at Pueblo Zoo, told NPR in an email.

https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/10/20/panda4-ea62a11e217d3a1e80025b578ca0b9e0a43cd3f9-s800-c85.webp
Rusty was found in Adams Morgan, which borders the park lands around the zoo.
Bethany Morlind

The panda made headlines when he was just 11 months old, in June of 2013. Officials said they think rainfall weighed down some branches in his exhibit, which allowed him to drop to the other side of the enclosure. He was later spotted in D.C.'s Adams Morgan neighborhood by a resident.

"I was walking home from lunch with my family when Rusty sauntered out from some bushes onto the sidewalk ahead of us," performing artist Ashley Wagner explained in an email to NPR. "He trotted along for a couple of blocks before taking refuge in a fenced-in yard."

Wagner was able to take some photos of him, and said Twitter seemed like the fastest way to alert the zoo to Rusty's location. The tweet allowed the zoo to find him and return him to his home.

"In a time of intense headlines (and sometimes overwhelming connection to technology), I think Rusty's story brought a sense of hope, whimsy, and adventure to all of our lives – and it highlighted the best of what social media can achieve," Wagner said.

https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2022/10/20/panda1-3ad32e242f2c1467c90ed11b83830ce5dc7e1f1c-s800-c85.webp
Rusty was "a wonderful ambassador for the species and was a fun, independent panda," Sandy Morrison of Pueblo Zoo told NPR.
Bethany Morlind

In 2019, he was transferred from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute — where he and another red panda had been relocated for reproductive purposes — to Colorado's Pueblo Zoo. They successfully mated while there.

The twin cubs, a female named Momo and a male named Mogwai, were born in Aug. 2021. They're still at Pueblo Zoo, but their mother, Priya, now lives at the Utah Hogle Zoo.

"He was a wonderful ambassador for the species and was a fun, independent panda who formed strong bonds with our Keepers. He will be sorely missed," Morrison wrote.

The National Zoo has not made a public comment. At least he ran free for a while. Now he's free again.

[GeneChing]

Beloved red panda cub at Toronto Zoo unexpectedly passes away
October 28, 2022 (https://www.dvm360.com/view/beloved-red-panda-cub-at-toronto-zoo-unexpectedly-passes-away)
dvm360 Staff


In just his 3 months of life, he made a significant impact on all those at the zoo

The Toronto Zoo recently announced the passing of a 3-month-old red panda cub, who was named Dash, and affectionately known as Baby Spice.

https://cdn.sanity.io/images/0vv8moc6/dvm360/4859682bdb97ab2fbb61c65143d717e520cca3a6-742x480.png/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-28%20at%209.24.26%20AM.png?w=1500&fit=max&auto=format
Dash, or "Baby Spice," posing with a pumpkin (Photo courtesy of Toronto Zoo).

According to an organizational release,1 on Saturday, October 22nd at the beginning and end-of-day check-ins, the cub displayed no signs of illness. However, on Sunday morning, the wildlife care staff heard the cub vocalizing and then discovered he was lying on his side and extremely weak. He was immediately sent to the Wildlife Health Centre for treatment by the Toronto Zoo veterinary team and put on oxygen, administered fluids, given antibiotics, and warmed up as his temperature was low. Though stable for a brief period, he then suddenly stopped breathing and had no pulse. Resuscitation attempts were futile.

Additionally, staff contacted the veterinarian responsible for the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Red Panda Species Survival Program who noted that in cases like this, nothing more could be done. A post-mortem exam was performed to obtain samples for further testing which to understand what caused his sudden death.

During his short life, Dash made a significant impact and had gained a substantial following on the Toronto Zoo social media.

“Dash brought us keepers so much joy. It was wonderful to see his mom, Paprika, become such an amazing mother and to see the bond develop between her and Dash. We enjoyed watching him grow and meet every milestone with gusto. Every daily weigh-in was the highlight of our day and we loved seeing his little “Yoda” face every time we opened the nestbox, commented Dash’s wildlife care keepers, in the release.1 “To watch as he grew from a hesitant cub to a brave little boy will be one of our fondest memories. We are sad that our time with him was so short but we will cherish every moment we shared with him.”

Wildlife care staff will further monitor Paprika, and currently she is adapting well without Dash by her side. This tragic loss demonstrates the fragility of cubs, even months after birth and as they transition from juveniles to adulthood.

Red pandas are a challenging species to breed because of pre- and post-partum complications with offspring survival. The release1 cites research conducted by the Cincinnati Zoo that displays a high percentage of early pregnancy loss in this species compared to others, with 40% of pregnancies being lost before birth. Similar losses are documented after birth with around 40% of cubs dying within 1 year of birth. The low survival rates have a major effect on the growth of the red panda population under human care. In the wild, red panda cubs confront similar mortality rates because of their vulnerable state at birth and the continual anthropogenic pressures.
Another red panda dies in captivity? wth?

[GeneChing]

Panda gifted to Taiwan by China dies (https://www.dw.com/en/panda-gifted-to-taiwan-by-china-dies/a-63819157)
11/19/2022November 19, 2022
The panda was gifted to Taipei by Beijing as a symbol of warmer relations between the governments. He died after suffering a spate of seizures.

https://static.dw.com/image/63818222_1005.jpg
A panda gifted to Taiwan by China 14 years ago died on Saturday, Taipei Zoo anounced.

The giant panda, named Tuan Tuan, died after suffering a spate of seizures.

He was born in 2004. Pandas can live for up to 30 years under human care, and have an average life span of 15-20 years in the wild.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan were given to Taiwan by China in 2008, as a gesture symbolizing rapprochement between the governments. China views Taiwan as part of its territory, and relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since 2016.

What did Taipei Zoo say?

"Our medical team has confirmed that Tuan Tuan's heart stopped beating at 13:48 (05:48 GMT)," the zoo said in a statement.

The panda was given deep anesthesia to take CT scans earlier Saturday.

Veterinarians decided to "let Tuan Tuan to continue to sleep" after it was clear that his condition was "irreversible" and he could no longer "live a quality life."

Tuan Tuan began suffering seizures in August, and was observed to be increasingly lethargic. Medical scans showed the panda had a brain lesion, after which he was given anti-seizure medication.

Taipei Zoo suspected that the panda had a brain tumor and began palliative care in October.

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je thanked Tuan Tuan for "bringing happiness to Taiwanese people and making Taipei Zoo more wonderful."

China only lends pandas to foreign zoos, which must return any offspring within a few years of their birth. Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan and their offspring were fully gifted to Taiwan. The pair had two female cubs at Taipei Zoo.

Well this bodes poorly.

[GeneChing]

Trending in China
Panda prophets: first giant Chinese bears in Middle East turn World Cup soccer stars by ‘predicting’ winners and losers (https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3201000/panda-prophets-first-giant-chinese-bears-middle-east-turn-world-cup-soccer-stars-predicting-winners)
Giant pandas, Thuraya and Suhail, follow in footsteps of Paul the predicting Octopus who rose to fame during the 2010 World Cup
Pair of bears have already ‘guessed’ the unexpected winners of two matches in the group stages of the tournament

Alice Yan in Shanghai
Published: 6:00pm, 25 Nov, 2022


https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1098,format=auto/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/canvas/2022/11/25/4179e4b1-a250-4c1e-9567-57ab4bb8ba70_ccebd3d1.jpg?itok=755N907U&v=1669368636
The first Chinese giant pandas to take up residence in the Middle East, Thuraya and Suhail, are making a splash at the soccer World Cup in Qatar by “predicting” the outcome of matches. Photo: SCMP Composite.
The first Chinese giant pandas ever to take up residence in the Middle East – who arrived in Qatar just ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2022 – are making a new name for themselves, by “predicting” the results of matches at the tournament.
Following in the tentacle-steps of Paul the Octopus who rose to fame doing the same thing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the pair – three-year-old female Thuraya and Suhail, a four-year-old male – have already correctly “predicted” the unexpected winners of two matches.
They left their home in China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas’ Ya’an base in Sichuan province at the beginning of this month and first received visitors in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, last week.
https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/11/25/86fcbdb9-8764-498a-b3ab-2255af7bcb48_5cf79dc8.jpg
Giant pandas Thuraya and Suhail await transportation to Qatar at the Ya’an base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Sichuan province. Photo: Xinhua.
On the eve of the tournament’s opening match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador, staff at the Panda House in Al Khor Park where Thuraya and Suhail live placed the flags of the competing countries on a glass wall.
Soon after doing so, one of the pandas crawled towards the wall, looked at each flag for a few seconds, paused, sniffed both for a while before raising a paw to touch the flag of Ecuador, a short video has shown. The South American team went on to win the game.
https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/11/25/47f030d4-cf8d-42b1-bc0a-fc71e15a309f_ddbbc58c.jpg
One of the Chinese giant pandas working their magic before Qatar took on Ecuador in the opening match of the tournament. Photo: Toutiao.
Two days later, prior to the match between Germany and Japan, the same flag scenario was set up and one of the pandas – it is still unclear which one – wasted no time before placing both paws against the Japanese national flag. Japan won.
The panda duos’ predictions have amused mainland Chinese internet users.
“It’s magic! Is there some mystical power from the East?” Joked one Weibo poster.
“Awesome! Perhaps I can let my pet cat try it tomorrow,” said another.
However, as every gambler knows, you can’t win them all.
Hours before the game between Uruguay and South Korea on Thursday, one of the pandas predicted a Uruguay win. The game ended in a goalless draw.
“Don’t blame our pandas. They didn’t have the option of a draw,” said an internet user.
Many netizens said the panda-predictors reminded them of Paul the Octopus from Germany whose uncannily accurate predictions at the 2010 World Cup turned him into a global celebrity.
https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2022/11/25/fdc36002-a016-4873-ad00-0d73078706a6_cc6ea7ad.jpg.
Paul the Octopus who rose to global prominence by “predicting” the outcome of matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Photo: EPA/Roland Weihrauch.
Sadly, just weeks after the 2010 tournament ended, Paul passed away, possibly as a result of his exertions.


Alice Yan

Alice Yan is a Shanghai-based social and medical news reporter. She started her journalism career in 2003 and has degrees in economics and public administration.

Still mourning the passing of Paul...:(

[GeneChing]

Longleat safari park red panda cubs die in cold snap (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-64006371)
Published
2 days ago

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/B871/production/_126771274_26c1e147-4d29-4c50-a715-6f7ee68dd4f6.png.webp
IMAGE SOURCE, LLOYD WINTERS/LONGLEAT
Tala and Sumi were born in early summer

By Tess de la Mare
BBC News
A rare pair of red panda cubs bred at Longleat have died during the cold snap.
Twins Tala and Sumi, who were born in early summer, were found dead in their nesting box at the Wiltshire safari park on Thursday morning.
It is thought they died from hypothermia, a spokesman for the park said.
The fact their mother had stopped providing supportive feeds may also have played a part, they added.
The cubs were born to parents Emma and Lionel and were first seen by the public in September when they began to venture outside.
Red pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, where temperatures can reach -15C (5F).
Temperatures at Longleat are thought to have dipped to between -7C (19.4F) and -8C (17.6F) overnight into Thursday.
But keepers at the safari park think the fact that their mother had started the weaning process and was no longer providing supportive feeds may have contributed to the cubs' deaths.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/DF81/production/_126771275_9d466d4a-8937-4e38-b057-092de0bcafed.png.webp
IMAGE SOURCE, LLOYD WINTERS/LONGLEAT
The cubs were part of a breeding programme aimed at boosting numbers of the endangered species

The spokesman said: "We've provided an increase in diet, shelter and bedding, however the cubs were mostly still dependant on their mum."
Red pandas have a very high mortality rate, Longleat said, with just one in five wild pandas surviving to adulthood.
The species are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with as few as 2,500 thought to be living in the wild.
Their main threats are habitat loss, deforestation and poaching.
Tala and Sumi were the seventh and eighth red pandas to have been born at Longleat, which is part of a breeding programme to try and boost numbers.
Previous cubs have gone on to collections all over Europe, with some starting to have cubs of their own.
'Sadness at saying goodbye'
Longleat said the twins had been "closely monitored and looked after by our dedicated team".
The spokesman said: "We know so many of you have loved seeing these beautiful creatures for yourselves and will share our sadness in having to say goodbye to them.
"Thank you for your understanding at this time, especially for our keepers who formed such a special bond with them both."
What is up with all these panda deaths lately?

[GeneChing]

Le Le the Giant Panda from Memphis Zoo Dead at 25: 'Le Le Was a Happy Bear' (https://people.com/pets/le-le-panda-from-memphis-zoo-dead-at-25/)
"He had an easy-going personality and was a favorite of all who met and worked with him over the years,” the Memphis Zoo said in a statement

By Alexis Jones Published on February 3, 2023 11:59 PM

Memphis Zoo is devasted to announce the passing of Giant panda “Le Le.” Le Le was born July 18th, 1998 and was 25 years old at the time of his passing. Le Le came to Memphis Zoo in 2003. Le Le’s name translates to “happy happy”, and his name perfectly reflected his personality. Le Le was a happy bear that enjoyed apples, engaging with enrichment and relaxing while covering himself with freshly shredded bamboo. He had an easy-going personality and was a favorite of all who met and worked with him over the years. Le Le was adored by his keepers, all of the staff at the Memphis Zoo as well as the City of Memphis. Over the last twenty years Le Le has delighted millions of guests, served as an exemplary ambassador for his species and remains a shining symbol of conservation partnership with the People’s Republic of China. At this time, a cause of death has yet to be determined as medical investigation is pending

https://people.com/thmb/ah5QDVYiYWpYjJRJJPi-LfRTR2I=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc() :focal(584x479:586x481)/le-le-panda-memphis-020323-8e22c655a6bf4c3a92a1d074c25c1ffa.jpg
PHOTO: MEMPHIS ZOO
Le Le, one of the Memphis Zoo's giant pandas, has died. He was 25.

In a statement posted to its Facebook page on Friday, the zoo said that Le Le — which translates to "happy happy" — was found dead.

"Memphis Zoo is devasted [sic] to announce the passing of Giant panda 'Le Le,' " the zoo said in the post.

"Le Le was a happy bear that enjoyed apples, engaging with enrichment and relaxing while covering himself with freshly shredded bamboo. He had an easy-going personality and was a favorite of all who met and worked with him over the years," the statement read.

They continued: "Le Le was adored by his keepers, all of the staff at the Memphis Zoo as well as the City of Memphis. Over the last twenty years Le Le has delighted millions of guests, served as an exemplary ambassador for his species and remains a shining symbol of conservation partnership with the People's Republic of China."

According to Fox 13, Le Le showed no signs that he was sick, but had seemingly been eating poorly for a few hours one day due to a stomach ache. However, he appeared to resume eating well after that day, a Memphis Zoo veterinarian said, per the outlet.

As of now, no cause of death has been determined.

"We intend to find a reason for his passing," the veterinarian added, according to the outlet.

"We want the final examination to be absolutely as thorough as possible," a Memphis Zoo spokesperson said, per Fox 13. "But, we are thankful that it was peaceful and all indications are that case. In fact, he was thought to be sleeping. And, for that, we are thankful."

Le Le was one of the zoo's two giant pandas, spending the past 20 years with Ya Ya in Memphis, Tennessee. Le Le died months before he was scheduled to return to China with Ya Ya once the loan contract ends in April, according to Action News 5.

However, animal protection organizations, In Defense of Animals and Panda Voices, spoke out about the alleged lack of medical care and sustenance provided to the pandas by the Memphis Zoo.

"It's beyond heartbreaking that LeLe died prematurely of neglect and inadequate care when he was so close to being returned to China," said Brittany Michelson, Captive Animals Campaigner for In Defense of Animals, in a press release. "Memphis Zoo blatantly failed him. His health was clearly suffering, yet no recommended changes were made to help him or YaYa. Memphis Zoo has demonstrated its inability to properly care for the pandas, and must not be allowed to exhibit them in the future."

"It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge King LeLe has passed on to Panda Planet," added Tom Clemenson, spokesperson for Panda Voices. "We have fought very hard to bring awareness and change to the lives of giant pandas worldwide, that fight began with LeLe and YaYa at the Memphis Zoo. Our dedication of the past three years — preventing LeLe from dying at Memphis Zoo has unfortunately become reality. In the name of LeLe, we continue the fight to save YaYa. Please expect a full investigation to follow. We must Protect All Pandas."

PEOPLE has reached out to the Memphis Zoo in regards to the allegations made by In Defense of Animals and Panda Voices, but did not immediately hear back. Neglect? Ouch...

[GeneChing]

FBI Arrests Jan. 6 ‘Seditious Panda’ (https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/jan-6-seditious-panda-arrested-1234687613/)
Jesse James Rumson, the man who allegedly breached the Capitol while wearing a costume panda head, was arrested Monday by federal authorities
BY NIKKI MCCANN RAMIREZ
FEBRUARY 27, 2023
https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/seditionpanda.jpg?w=1581&h=1054&crop=1
Jesse James Rumson as depicted on Jan. 6 in an image via FBI.

YOU WON’T FIND this panda at the national zoo. Jesse James Rumson, the man who allegedly breached the Capitol on Jan. 6 while wearing a costume panda head, was arrested Monday by federal authorities. The FBI arrested Rumson on charges of assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, as well as engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds.

Rumson was filmed entering the Capitol via a fire escape exit that had been broken through by rioters who then fought with police officers inside the building. Rumson can be seen entering alongside a group of individuals after law enforcement were forced to retreat.


Here's footage from a Jan. 6 trial of what that break-in by the Senate Parliamentarian's office looked like from the inside: pic.twitter.com/BTBjH3LmIw

— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) June 1, 2022
According to an FBI affidavit, Rumson, dubbed “Seditious Panda” online, removed his panda head at various points in and around the Capitol. Rumson exited the Capitol after about 15 minutes while wearing a pair of handcuffs. Rioters outside the building helped remove the cuffs, after which Rumson was filmed near the Senate Wing Door as protesters attempted to bash it open. Rumson can be heard yelling “get a ram” in the audio. The affidavit states that Rumson “assaulted at least one law enforcement officer […] after running through the crowd towards the officer, reaching out, and grabbing the officer’s face shield, which forced the officer’s head and neck back and upwards.”

His garb during the events did less to anonymize him than it did to draw attention from online sleuths and law enforcement. Rumson is one of more than 1000 people charged in relation to the certification-day attack on the Capitol.

As Rumson’s case makes its way to the courts he may choose to adopt one of the defense strategies leveled by other Jan. 6 defendants. A recent example is Michael Daniele, a New Jersey man charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor in relation to the attack who claims he only entered the Capitol because he was “looking for a bathroom.” Another man who leveled a similar bathroom defense, Robert Reederm, was sentenced to three months jail time in Oct. 2021 (likely because, despite his claim, there is footage of him shoving a police officer).

While the rioters of Jan. 6 may have behaved like a bunch of wild beasts, the beloved pandas of the Smithsonian remain the best pandas in Washington, D.C..“looking for a bathroom” :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

https://www.wsav.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/75/2023/03/GettyImages-175009379.jpg?w=876&h=493&crop=1
(Getty Images)
WSAV NOW
Fun facts for National Panda Day (https://www.wsav.com/now/fun-facts-for-national-panda-day/)
by: Angel Colquitt
Posted: Mar 16, 2023 / 11:00 AM EDT
Updated: Mar 16, 2023 / 10:42 AM EDT

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – National Panda Day is March 16, which means it is time for some fun facts about pandas. Here is a list of five things you should know about giant pandas.

They are no longer endangered

As of 2021, giant pandas have been reclassified as “vulnerable,” instead of “endangered.” This is because of successful breeding efforts in captivity. These efforts mean that as of 2022, there were around 600 living in captivity, while there were around 1,800 living in the wild.

Their biggest threat is habitat destruction

Pandas live their lives in forests where they munch away on bamboo, which makes up the majority of their diet. However, because of the encroachment of humans on their habitats through logging and agricultural endeavors, their forests have become separated. This has caused the pandas to be isolated from one another, impeding their ability to expand their population.

They communicate mostly through scent marking

Perhaps because these creatures live in isolation, they never developed the ability to express themselves through body language. Instead, they usually communicate with other pandas through noises or, more commonly, scent marking. This means that they use scents created by their urine and fur to mark routes and territory.

Newborn pandas are 1/900th the size of their mother

A newborn panda is typically around three to five ounces, making it one of the smallest mammalian newborns compared to its mother’s body size. The only babies smaller in comparison to their mother’s body size are marsupials.

Pandas can live over 30 years in captivity

While it is not certain how old a giant panda can live in the wild, one thing is certain: they live longer in captivity. Giant pandas live on average up to 30 years in captivity, though pandas in China have been reported to live up to 35 years in captivity.

I need to change my socks to my panda socks...

[GeneChing]

Giant panda Ya Ya to return to China from US in a few days: national authority (https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202304/1289734.shtml)
By Global Times
Published: Apr 24, 2023 10:57 PM

Giant panda Ya Ya, whose health has come under the spotlight since early March, will return to China in a few days from Memphis Zoo in the US, China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration was quoted as saying by the Xinhua News Agency on Monday.

Ya Ya, a female panda, was born in the Beijing Zoo in August 2000. In April 2003, as part of a cooperation program on the protection and research of giant pandas between China and the US, Ya Ya and Le Le, a male panda from the Shanghai Zoo, were flown to Memphis.

The Memphis Zoo announced in December 2022 that it would return Le Le and Ya Ya to China, concluding 20 years of cooperative research on time. However, in February this year, Le Le unfortunately died.

Ya Ya, together with Le Le's body, will board a home-bound FedEx flight to Shanghai, according to media reports. The Global Times learned from FedEx that the flight was very likely to take off by the end of April.

Some experts from the Beijing Zoo travelled to the Memphis Zoo in March to prepare for the returning journey of Ya Ya. They took over the job to look after Ya Ya since April 8.

Experts said they had also conducted interactions and learned some training gestures and training commands from caretakers at the Memphis Zoo in order to assist with the adjustment upon returning to China, Xinhua reported.

The Memphis Zoo has a relatively sound management system and operation procedures, a veterinarian from the Beijing Zoo told Xinhua, noting that Ya Ya's body weight and health condition are currently stable.

Keepers at the Memphis Zoo record the time, type, and weight of food provided to Ya Ya every day, as well as the situation of her excrement, while veterinarians would conduct health examinations on Ya Ya on time. This data is provided to the Chinese side regularly, according to the veterinarian.

Ya Ya has been receiving adaptive training, for example, she is being fed with biscuits from China so that her digestive system can adapt as soon as possible after returning to China. Training has also been conducted to help her get accustomed to the shipping crate for the cross-ocean flight, according to Xinhua.

Special care is needed for an aging panda, and zoo staffers have taken detailed notes on Ya Ya's diet and carefully check her mouth, back, and hands daily, Associate Curator Lauren Caskey at Memphis Zoo told Xinhua.

In Caskey's eyes, Ya Ya is funny and likes to be close with people. She is also very smart and adaptable. Caskey said she is confident that Ya Ya will do great when she returns to China.

Since the beginning of 2021, there have been continuous reports about poor health conditions of Ya Ya and Le Le, with heart-wrenching photos surfacing online. After the death of Le Le, pictures of the emaciated Ya Ya have caused a stronger impact on the Chinese public leading to many netizens calling for early return of Ya Ya.

In regards to the growing concern for Ya Ya's health, Director of Animal Programs at the Memphis Zoo Courtney Janney said that "she looks a little bit different than what you would consider your stereotypic, very robust giant panda. She's always been a smaller framed, petite bear who carries her weight a little differently," according to the Memphis Zoo's website.

Dr. Felicia Knightly, the Memphis Zoo's senior veterinarian, also said that Ya Ya looks "normal" considering her age and size. "We have monitored and evaluated Ya Ya for the last eighteen years and she is following the exact cycling and weight pattern she always does."

Ya Ya's latest progress was hailed by Chinese netizens, and the related hashtag had been viewed more than 150 million times as of Monday afternoon. "It is the best news I have heard in April, welcome back home," one netizen said on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo.

But some others still expressed worries over Ya Ya's condition, as she looked emaciated in the videos and photos circulating online. Some netizens also called for attention for Mei Xiang, another giant panda living in the US.
Panda diplomacy is fascinating

[GeneChing]

Unique Albino Panda Spotted in China, Sans Eye Mask (https://www.sciencealert.com/unique-albino-panda-spotted-in-china-sans-eye-mask)
NATURE
02 June 2023
By CARLY CASSELLA
https://www.sciencealert.com/images/2023/06/UniqueWhitePanda.jpg
Albino panda. (Wolong National Nature Reserve)
The world's first and only albino panda finally lumbered past a motion-sensitive field camera in the mountains of China earlier this year – the first time it's been spotted since 2019.

Thankfully, the unique creature seems to be growing up happy and healthy in the Wolong National Nature Reserve, a protected region in the Sichuan province that is home to roughly 150 giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

But only this one is known to be white.

The famous individual is the bearer of a rare genetic mutation that turns the species' usual black-and-white fur a uniform pale cream color.

https://www.sciencealert.com/images/2023/06/0dc60a61-15a5-4107-b325-346a85906e26_55681d5a-642x427.webp
Footage of the albino panda captured in February of 2023. (Wolong National Nature Reserve)
It appears to be an albino animal, which carry a mutation that interferes with pigment production in the skin, eyes, and hair, but there's a chance this genetic condition can also result in physical impairments or disease.

It's been four years since field cameras first caught sight of China's albino panda, and yet there's still no sign that the five- or six-year-old is sick in any way.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8e1U2mhAAA

Even though it's the black sheep of the panda community, it seems to fit in just fine. In footage from February, recently aired by China's state broadcaster, the all-white panda was shown interacting with a mother panda and her roughly two-year-old cub as they nestled in the hollow of a tree.

"By the end of February, adult wild pandas in Wolong are in the estrus (mating) season, during which female pandas with cubs can be very aggressive when an adult panda approaches or invades," engineer Wei Rongping from the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas told China Daily.

"This female panda was extremely calm and did not behave as expected. One possibility is that she is the mother of the all-white panda."

https://www.sciencealert.com/images/2023/06/d2bd08ae-2360-486e-b35c-0cf648c6711d_f60200c9-642x428.jpg
Footage of the albino panda playing with a black-and-white panda. (Wolong National Nature Reserve/Xinhua)
Field cameras in the wildlife sanctuary recorded more than a dozen further interactions between the albino panda and other pandas in the region.

According to the South China Morning Post, there's even a video of the white panda playing with a black-and-white peer.

The albino panda's sex hasn't yet been determined, but researchers say it is almost the size of an adult now and shows signs of sexual maturity.

To learn more about the creature, researchers are hoping to catch more footage of it and possibly snag a bit of its DNA.

If the panda does end up reproducing with another of its kind, experts aren't sure if its genetic quirk will be inherited or not.
Interesting find

[GeneChing]

Fully Intact Giant Panda Skeleton Discovered in Chinese Emperor’s 2,000-Year-Old Tomb (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fully-intact-giant-panda-skeleton-discovered-in-chinese-emperors-2000-year-old-tomb-180982736/#:~:text=The%20animal%20was%20buried%20in,panda%2C %20not%20a%20Sichuan%20panda.)
Archaeologists previously found a panda skull in a nearby Han burial, but its torso was missing
Meilan Solly
Associate Editor, History
August 16, 2023

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The remains likely belong to a Qinling panda rather than a Sichuan panda. Pictured: Qi Zai, a Qinling panda born in captivity AilieHM via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 4.0
When Emperor Wen of Han died in 157 B.C.E., he was buried in an enormous mausoleum alongside dozens of animals, including golden snub-nosed monkeys, Indian wild buffalo and red-crowned cranes. The sheer number of rare species represented in the tomb, located in China’s Shaanxi Province, impressed the archaeologists who excavated it in 2021 and 2022. But it was another find that captured the public’s attention: the complete skeleton of a giant panda, which is the first of its kind discovered at an ancient Chinese burial site.

A team led by Hu Songmei, an archaeologist at the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, identified the remains by comparing them with existing panda bone specimens, reports Liu Kexin for West China Metropolis Daily. The animal was buried in a sacrificial pit outside Wen’s grave, with its head facing the tomb and its tail facing west. Its body was placed on top of a tiled brick structure.

The bones probably belonged to a Qinling panda, not a Sichuan panda. Of the two subspecies, the Qinling “have rounder faces,” Hu tells thecover.cn, per a translation by the Global Times.

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The skeleton of an Asian forest tortoise unearthed at Nan Mausoleum, the burial place of Empress Dowager Bo Chinese Social Sciences Today
While finding a complete skeleton is unusual, partial remains of sacrificed pandas have been discovered at similar sites. In 1975, archaeologists excavating the nearby mausoleum of Wen’s mother, Empress Dowager Bo, found a giant panda’s skull, but its body was missing, perhaps stolen by graverobbers, notes the Washington Post’s Lyric Li. More recent excavations of Bo’s tomb yielded golden eagles, sika deer and rhesus monkeys.

Wen and Bo were far from the only ancient Chinese royals laid to rest with animal companions for the afterlife. Warrior queen Fu Hao, a member of the Shang dynasty, was buried with six dogs (as well as 16 sacrificed humans) around 1250 B.C.E.; the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, founder of the Qin dynasty, contained the bones of deer, sheep, chicken, fish and turtles, not to mention thousands of terracotta warriors. While everyday citizens were sometimes buried with domesticated animals, rarer species were reserved chiefly for imperial mausoleums.

As Hu and colleagues Cao Long and Zhang Wanwan write in the journal Chinese Social Sciences Today, sacrificed animals “were symbols of social roles and status” for China’s elite. Their presence in ancient tombs supports written accounts of Han royal gardens, which mention many of the same species. The animals may have been buried to recreate the gardens for the deceased in the afterlife.

“The arrangement of imitating living facilities within mausoleums embodies the traditional funeral belief that the deceased should be served as if they were alive,” write the researchers.

https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/SN8XoagkaCwPMrJ1D5d_k_ghT60=/fit-in/1072x0/filters:focal(512x346:513x347)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/28/a6/28a6ef15-9b21-4758-93ac-0cbfc05594e7/tapir_of_malacca_william_farquhar_collection_18191 823.jpeg
A 19th-century drawing of a Malayan tapir Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
While Han dynasty rulers may have had a particular penchant for pandas, the number of sacrificial pits and the diversity of species discovered in the Shaanxi tombs indicates the bears were more likely included in the burials as part of a replica royal garden, Cao tells the West China Metropolis Daily.

The pandas could have been offerings from southern China, the species’ traditional habitat. Alternatively, reports Echo Xie for the South China Morning Post, the bears may have been more abundant in Shaanxi, which is in northwest China, during the Han dynasty, with a wetter, warmer climate encouraging the growth of bamboo. The researchers plan to conduct DNA analyses to determine where the sacrificed animals originated and what they ate before they died.

In addition to the panda remains, the team found the complete skeleton of an Asian tapir, an endangered black-and-white mammal most closely related to horses and rhinos. The animal went extinct in China some 1,000 years ago, during the Song dynasty, leading to confusion over whether references to tapirs in ancient Chinese texts refer to the large herbivorous mammal or the similarly colored panda. Per the West China Metropolis Daily, the presence of both species in the same tomb suggests that people in Han China were describing two different animals.


Meilan Solly
Meilan Solly is Smithsonian magazine's associate digital editor, history.

You'd think those grave robbers would've stolen the skull first...

[GeneChing]

A government shutdown could cut short the National Zoo's panda goodbye celebrations (https://www.npr.org/2023/09/25/1201412673/government-shutdown-pandas-national-zoo)

September 25, 20235:01 AM ET
Emma Bowman, photographed for NPR, 27 July 2019, in Washington DC.

https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/09/24/gettyimages-1697348114_custom-982cf4ed399bede3868a4c44bf98201068bedf3d-s800-c85.webp
Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji rolls around in his enclosure during a "Panda Palooza" event at the Smithsonian National Zoo on Saturday, in Washington, D.C. We're guessing he hasn't heard about the looming government shutdown.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
A government shutdown could suck the life out of the party for some of Washington, D.C.'s most popular residents: the pandas.

The National Zoo is holding a series of panda-themed events to commemorate the departure of its only three pandas: elderly pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their 3-year-old son Xiao Qi Ji are heading back to China. The nine-day farewell bash is just getting started. But Washington succumbing to a shutdown would cut the celebrations short a day early.

The three pandas are on loan from China under an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association and will return to the country by Dec. 7.

All of the National Zoo's pandas are leaving to China by December 7
The zoo is holding the "Panda Palooza," its long anticipated goodbye party for the pandas, from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1. Meanwhile, government funding will expire on Oct. 1, the same day the government would shut down if Congress can't pass a new funding plan.

Like all Smithsonian institutions, because the National Zoo receives federal funding, it too must close to the public in the event of a shutdown.

For many panda fans, the sendoff may be their last chance to see the trio before their farewell journey. After that, the zoo will be panda-less for the first time in more than 50 years.

Wind and rain has already has dampened the party, with the zoo canceling some Palooza events, The Washington Post reported. But the weather hasn't kept avid panda fans away. Local and out-of-state residents flocked to the zoo to catch a glimpse, with many sharing photos on social media of the pandas frolicking around the bamboo and munching on ice cakes.

As in shutdowns past, the halt of "nonessential" government functions would also mean the Smithsonian's live giant panda cam goes dark.
Another embarrassing moment in US government. :(

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoTUE1Skwro

[GeneChing]

The 3 remaining pandas have left the National Zoo. Why China is taking all its pandas back. (https://news.yahoo.com/pandas-leave-national-zoo-china-end-of-us-panda-diplomacy-191500254.html)
It’s the end of an era for so-called panda diplomacy.
Dylan Stableford and Yahoo News Photo Staff
Updated Wed, November 8, 2023, 8:07 PM PST·4 min read

The National Zoo’s three giant pandas — Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji — left Washington, D.C., early Wednesday and were taken to Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia, where they were boarded onto the specially equipped Boeing FedEx Panda Express to begin their long trans-Pacific flight to Chengdu, China, their new home.

According to the zoo, the pandas are traveling with approximately 220 pounds of bamboo, 8 pounds of leaf-eater biscuits, 5 pounds of low-starch biscuits, 6 pounds of apples, 5 pounds of carrots, 6 pounds of sweet potatoes, 3 pounds of sugar cane, 1 pound of pears and 1 pound of cooked squash for the 19-hour flight, which will include a refueling stop in Anchorage, Alaska.

Speaking outside an empty panda enclosure, National Zoo director Brandie Smith called it a "hard morning."

End of an era
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Tian Tian at the National Zoo in Washington on Tuesday, the final day of viewing before being returned to China. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON via Getty Images)
It’s the first time in 23 years the zoo has been without pandas, which have been a fixture there since 1972, when China gifted two pandas to the National Zoo as a gesture of goodwill during President Richard Nixon’s administration.

Since then, zoos across the country have hosted giant pandas for years at a time. But that practice is coming to an end.

And soon, there will be no pandas in the United States.

Zoos in Memphis and San Diego have already returned their pandas to China. And the only other pandas in the country, at Atlanta’s zoo, are set to be returned later this month.

In 2024, for the first time in more than 50 years, there will be no pandas in the United States, after zoos in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., return theirs to China — which has been loaning its pandas to countries for decades.

Why are they being returned?

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Tian Tian the panda en route to Dulles International Airport on Wednesday. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Usually, the Smithsonian Institution — which operates the National Zoo — renews its panda contracts in order to keep them. But this year officials say such attempts have failed.

Smith said the zoo remains committed to its panda conservation program, and “we look forward to celebrating with all of you when pandas can return to D.C.”

Did you know? Giant pandas are China’s national animal. Their life expectancy in the wild is about 15 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as old as 38.

Back in April, Ya Ya, a giant panda that had spent 20 years at the Memphis Zoo, was returned after the zoo's loan agreement ended without renewal.

Allegations of neglect against the Memphis Zoo were circulated on Chinese social media, which the zoo emphatically denied.

Meanwhile, Ya Ya’s trip home was closely followed online in both the U.S. and China as her fans in both countries tracked her flight from Memphis to Shanghai.

“An image from Chinese broadcaster Phoenix News was particularly popular among Chinese social media users,” the Associated Press explained at the time. “It showed Ya Ya relieving herself before the trip and leaving the poop as a present for the zoo.”

What about other countries?

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Xiao Qi Ji plays at his enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 28. (Jose Luis Magana/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Several countries around the world have pandas on loan from China that are also due to be returned when their agreements expire.

Officials in Singapore announced that a giant panda cub named Le Le will be returned to China in December. A farewell event for the 2-year-old is set for Nov. 20.

Similar celebrations were held for Xiang Xiang, a 5-year-old panda who was returned to China from Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in February, and Fan Xing, a 3-year-old panda who was returned to China from a zoo in the Netherlands last month.

A giant panda on loan from China died suddenly in a zoo in northern Thailand in April, six months before she was due to return home.

In July, two new pandas were born in South Korea, but they are considered the property of China and will soon be returned too.

More panda coverage on Yahoo News

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The FedEx Panda Express taking off from Dulles International Airport with giant pandas Xiao Qi Ji, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang on board for their return trip to China. (Julia Nikhinson/Reuters) (Julia Nikhinson / reuters)
I'm grateful that I saw the San Diego Zoo pandas when I did.

[GeneChing]

Are the pandas coming back? China's Xi Jinping surprised the White House (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/chinas-xi-jinping-surprised-white-house-panda-diplomacy-rcna125566)
The Biden administration viewed Chinese President Xi Jinping's hint of sending more pandas to the U.S. as a “goodwill gesture,” a senior administration official said.

https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1240w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2023-11/231116-Xi-jinping-joe-biden-al-1432-31e5a5.jpg
Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in the gardens at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., on Wednesday.Doug Mills / The New York Times pool via AP

Nov. 16, 2023, 11:44 AM PST
By Monica Alba

SAN FRANCISCO — While there were plenty of major global issues on the agenda for President Joe Biden’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, the suggestion of sending new pandas to the U.S. was not on the list and did not come up during the talks, a senior administration official said.

So when Xi announced at a dinner with business leaders later in the evening that China was “ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation,” it came as a surprise to the White House.

Xi indicated that China would “do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties" between the two countries, and he even referred to the San Diego Zoo as a potential home for future pandas.

The U.S. viewed the comments as a “goodwill gesture,” the senior administration official said, after Biden and Xi had spent more than four hours together in their first face-to-face meeting in a year. The official said the panda news was not planned or choreographed beforehand with the White House.

Xi referred to the pandas as “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples,” but he did not share additional details about when or how the next steps would take place.

Three giant pandas left the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., last week, traveling from Dulles International Airport on a FedEx flight to Chengdu, China, a roughly 19-hour journey.

“I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas and went to the zoo to see them off,” Xi said Wednesday.

There are still some pandas in the U.S. at Zoo Atlanta, but they are set to depart next year if the deal is not extended. The panda agreements are made between the Chinese government and American zoos, without the direct involvement of the U.S. government.

The San Diego Zoo said it did not have any kind of heads-up that Xi would refer to them in his remarks.

“We are excited to hear of President Xi’s commitment in continuing the giant panda conservation efforts between our two countries, and his attention to the wish of Californians and the San Diego Zoo to see the return of giant pandas,” Paul A. Baribault, the president and chief executive of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said in a statement.

“Conservation starts with people, and our team is committed to working with our partners to welcome the next generation of giant pandas to our zoo, continuing our joint efforts in wildlife conservation, and inspiring millions worldwide to protect the planet we all share,” he said.

Two pandas left San Diego and returned to China in 2019 after many years there.



Monica Alba
Monica Alba is a White House correspondent for NBC News. Panda diplomacy...

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lXyM4xRGb4

[GeneChing]

Edinburgh pandas spend last day in the spotlight (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-67566112)
30th November 2023, 03:17 PST

By Katy Scott & Debbie Jackson
BBC Scotland News


Edinburgh Zoo visitors have been watching its giant pandas for the final time on Thursday before they are sent back to China.
Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrived in Scotland to huge fanfare in 2011.
But they are due to return in December under the terms of a 10-year loan, which was extended due to the pandemic.
The first giant pandas to live in the UK for 17 years, they touched down in a plane dubbed the "FedEx Panda Express" on 4 December 2011.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which runs the zoo, paid an annual fee of one million dollars (currently about £790,000) to China for the bears.
But within 12 months the "panda effect" had boosted ticket sales by about 50%.
In their time in Scotland, zoo staff and veterinarians from China made eight attempts at artificial insemination between the pair. However they failed to produce any cubs.
The last attempt was in 2021, after which the giant panda breeding programme was stopped.
Visitors were only able to see the pandas in their enclosure until 15:30 and then they were moved out of sight as keepers prepare the bears for the long journey home.
For security and safety reasons, the exact date and time of their departure has been withheld but it is believed they are leaving next week.
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/C3EC/production/_131865105_pandaszookeepersvetivsandsetups2311_fra me_20538.jpg.webp
Zookeeper Michael Livingstone will accompany the pandas to China
Since day one, zookeeper Michael Livingstone has looked after the bears, attended to their needs and got to know their different personalities.
He said: "Yang Guang is more of a people panda - he likes interaction with the keepers.
"Tian Tian on the other hand is completely different. She likes interaction when she wants it. She likes things her own way."
Mr Livingstone said it was a day of mixed emotions as staff prepare to bid the pandas farewell.
"We've been anxious and nervous leading up to today and we're feeling a bit of sadness as many of us have known them for the whole time they've been here," he said.
"In the last week we've seen different visitors, including some regular panda visitors, who are starting to feel a bit sad and emotional about it."
He told BBC Scotland how people travel from all over the UK and Europe just to see the pandas.
"We've had proposals and birthday parties by the enclosure, we've had it all," he said.
"I'll be travelling with them to China and I think it'll be nice for them to have a familiar voice as they phase over."
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Tian Tian likes to keep to herself and choose when she interacts
Mr Livingstone told BBC Scotland News it had been a steep learning curve.
"We had looked after most bear species over the years but they were completely different. They needed a bit more attention, they were a lot more sensitive.
"Getting our head around the bamboo was one of the biggest things. We quickly learned there was a seasonality of the species they like. Some species they won't eat at certain times of the year. We became experts in bamboo care."
He will be the last person to say goodbye as he will be accompanying the bears on the journey back to China.
The zookeeper added: "They have consumed our lives over the past 12 years."
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Andi McLean said he was chosen to cut the ribbon on the panda's enclosure when they first arrived in Edinburgh
Andi McLean, 53, made the three-hour train journey up from his home in Warrington in Cheshire to see the pandas for the last time - a trip he has four or five times a year since they first arrived in Scotland in 2011. "I've loved pandas since I was little," he said, "So when the pandas came to the zoo, I was the first to book tickets to see them.
"Because of that, I was chosen to cut the ribbon and open the enclosure. So I'm here today to say goodbye."
He has also travelled to several zoos in Europe and Asia over the last 20 years to see the bears, and says he owns more than 300 panda toys and a large collection of panda earrings.
"Nearly all of my T-shirts have a panda of some description, and my husband took me to see a newborn panda in Vienna for our honeymoon", he said. "I'm upset that they didn't have any babies but Tian Tian didn't seem very settled. I thought it might happen eventually but it never did."
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Lola travelled from her home in Northumberland on Thursday morning to see the pandas for the last time
Another panda superfan Lola, 10, travelled up with her mum Carly Miller, 34, from Amble in Northumberland, first thing on Thursday morning to see the pandas.
They made the last-minute decision on Wednesday night after discovering that the pandas would be leaving for good.
Lola told BBC Scotland how she has loved the pandas since she was born, adding: "I've got a panda quilt cover and a huge panda bear in my room at home, and little panda teddies too.
"I'm not surprised they've not had any children because they don't like being together.
"It's sad that never happened and they're going back now. I know it has to be done but I'm sad that they have to be in crates for so many days."
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Layla brought her panda teddy to say a final farewell to Tian Tian and Yang Guang after many previous visits
Moona Aslan, 36, brought her panda-obsessed toddler Layla to the zoo to say a final goodbye after many previous visits.
Ms Aslan said: "She has become obsessed with pandas. The last few weeks she's been walking around the house with her little panda teddy and she won't leave without it.
"I've been trying to get her to play with other teddies but it's only her panda she'll play with. We've got a membership so we are here every other weekend."
The China Wildlife Conservation Association said that the country was now "well-prepared to welcome them back".
When they arrive, the bears will begin a month's quarantine at the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Centre in Ya'an, in Sichuan province.
When this all settles, who outside of PRC will still have pandas?

[GeneChing]

South Korean twin giant panda cubs Rui Bao and Hui Bao are preparing to meet the public


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GL7Z8gZMY

[GeneChing]

China reintroduces panda diplomacy with plans to send pair to San Diego (https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4482796-china-reintroduces-panda-diplomacy-plans-to-send-pair-to-san-diego/#:~:text=The%20San%20Diego%20Zoo%20announced,the%2 0United%20States%20and%20China.)
BY LAUREN SFORZA - 02/22/24 10:04 AM ET

https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/AP334848470572-e1704489277570.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1
A giant panda spends time in his indoor habitat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The San Diego Zoo announced Thursday it was taking steps to potentially welcome back giant pandas from China.
The China Wildlife Conservation Association has signed a cooperation agreement with the zoo in San Diego, reigniting a years-long gesture of goodwill between the United States and China. The Associated Press noted the Chinese organization also signed a cooperation agreement with a zoo in Madrid and is in discussions with zoos in Washington, D.C., and Vienna to potentially agree to new deals surrounding panda conservation.
San Diego Zoo officials told the AP two giant pandas — one male and one female — were set to come to the California zoo by the end of the summer if all permits and other requirements are approved. This comes about five years after the zoo’s last set of panda bears returned to China.
A spokesperson for the zoo confirmed the AP’s reporting to The Hill. In a press release, the San Diego Zoo said it “took an important step forward in having giant pandas return” by signing the agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
“We are humbled by the potential opportunity of continuing our collaborative conservation efforts to secure the future for giant pandas. As such, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is taking important steps to ensure we are prepared for a potential return,” said Megan Owen, vice president of conservation science at the San Diego Zoo.
“This includes sharing our detailed conservation plans with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure alignment for the greater benefit of giant pandas,” Owen said.
This comes after three giant pandas in Washington, D.C’s National Zoo were sent back to China last November as a three-year extension to their stay was set to expire. Giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian had been at the National Zoo since 2000 as part of the zoo’s Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding agreement with the China Wildfire Conservation Association.
The U.S. and China have been engaged in so-called “Panda diplomacy” since former President Nixon brokered a deal in 1972. The National Zoo said former first lady Patricia Nixon had “mentioned her fondness for giant pandas” to Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai at a dinner in Beijing. Enlai later gifted the U.S. two giant pandas after Nixon’s visit, according to the National Zoo.
The Associated Press contributed.
Where would China/US relationships be without Nixon?

[GeneChing]

https://www.earth.com/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcff2.earth.com%2Fuploads%2F2024 %2F03%2F16092938%2FNational-Panda-Day-960x640.jpg&w=1920&q=75
03-16-2024
National Panda Day: Recognizing the beauty and fragility of the giant panda (https://www.earth.com/news/national-panda-day-recognizing-the-beauty-and-fragility-of-wildlife/)
ByChrissy Sexton
Earth.com staff writer

National Panda Day, celebrated annually on March 16, marks an important occasion to honor and raise awareness about one of the most beloved and iconic species on the planet. Originating from China, pandas are not just a source of national pride but also play a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity.

There are two subspecies of panda – the Giant, black and white panda, and the much rarer, Qinling panda, a brown subspecies discovered in 1985 in the mountain ranges of southern Shaanxi Province, China.

Conservation status of pandas
In the wild, giant pandas are found exclusively in remote mountainous regions of China. Despite the challenges they face, including habitat loss, farming, fur hunting, and a naturally low birth rate, conservation efforts over the years have led to a positive outcome. By 2019, the status of pandas was upgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”

The significant improvement in the panda’s conservation status by 2020 can be attributed to various efforts, including reproduction programs in zoos, reforestation, and conservation campaigns. However, with less than 2,000 pandas left in the wild, the fight to protect these creatures and their habitat is far from over.

Ecological role of pandas
Pandas are more than just charismatic animals; they are a keystone in the conservation efforts for biodiversity, making their protection vital for ecological health and sustainability.

Ecosystem health
Pandas play a crucial role in the biodiversity of the forests they inhabit. As bamboo specialists, they help maintain the health and growth of bamboo forests by spreading seeds and facilitating growth. Their activities support a variety of other organisms in these ecosystems.

Umbrella species
Pandas are considered an umbrella species. Protecting pandas and their habitat benefits a multitude of other species. Conservation efforts aimed at pandas indirectly protect the broader ecological community and other endangered species sharing their habitat.

A scientific paper published in 2015 by The Society for Conservation Biology revealed that preserving the panda’s natural habitat aids 70% of the country’s forest birds, 70% of mammals, and 31% of amphibians.

Economic benefit of pandas
Pandas have significant economic benefits through ecotourism. Many people travel to reserves and zoos to see these unique animals, bringing income to local communities and funding for conservation projects.

Cultural symbol
The giant panda is a symbol of peace and friendship in China, representing conservation efforts worldwide. Its image is globally recognized and used in wildlife conservation campaigns, highlighting the importance of environmental protection.

Scientific research
Studying pandas helps scientists understand the requirements for species conservation, including habitat preservation, the impact of human activity on wildlife, and the complex interactions within ecosystems. Research on pandas can offer insights applicable to the conservation of other species as well.

Fascinating facts about pandas
Giant pandas are incredibly fascinating creatures with a number of distinctive traits and behaviors. These unique adaptations underscore the global effort required to preserve such an iconic species.

Specialized diet
Despite belonging to the carnivorous bear family, pandas have a diet that is almost entirely bamboo. They eat 26 to 84 pounds of bamboo a day, depending on what part of the bamboo they are eating. This diet requires them to eat for up to 12 hours a day.

Bamboo digestion
Pandas have a carnivore’s digestive system but have adapted to their bamboo diet by developing a strong, muscular esophagus and stomach to digest the tough bamboo. They can only digest about 17% of the bamboo they eat, so they have to eat a lot to get enough nutrients.

Thumb-like appendage
Pandas have an enlarged wrist bone that acts like a thumb, which helps them to hold bamboo while eating. This adaptation is crucial for their bamboo-centric diet.

Color vision in pandas
Unlike many mammals, pandas can see in color. This ability may help them differentiate between the nutritious and fresh green bamboo and the less nutritious yellow bamboo.

Unique births
Panda mothers are known to give birth to one of the smallest mammal newborns relative to the mother’s size. A newborn panda is about 1/900th the size of its mother, blind, and helpless.

Solitary creatures
Pandas are solitary animals, with adults only coming together to mate. They communicate through scent marks, calls, and occasional meetings.

Energy conservation
Due to their low-nutrition diet, pandas have a low metabolism and prefer to conserve energy. They often appear to be resting or moving slowly when not eating.

Longevity
In the wild, pandas can live up to 20 years, but in captivity, they have lived to be as old as 38 years, thanks to advancements in veterinary care and improved living conditions.

Distinctive coloring of pandas
The giant panda’s distinctive black-and-white coloring is one of its most famous features, and it serves as more than just an adorable aspect of their appearance. This unique coloration provides effective camouflage in their natural habitat, aiding their survival in several ways.

Blending with snow and shadows
The white parts of the panda’s fur help it blend in with the snowy backdrop of its mountainous habitat in China, while the black parts provide camouflage in the shadows of the dense bamboo forests where it lives and feeds. This contrast is thought to help them remain inconspicuous to predators and prey.

Communication
The stark contrast in their fur might also play a role in communication. The distinctive markings on their face help pandas recognize each other and may also convey expressions or emotional states, which is crucial for a mostly solitary animal.

Thermal regulation
Some researchers suggest that the black and white fur may also have a role in thermal regulation, with the black parts absorbing heat from the sun and the white parts reflecting it, although this theory is more speculative.

Despite their size and distinct coloring, pandas can blend remarkably well into their surroundings, a testament to the evolutionary adaptations that have allowed them to survive in their specific ecological niche.

Significance of National Panda Day
The creation of National Panda Day, while its origins remain unclear, was likely intended to draw attention to the plight of the pandas and motivate efforts to prevent their extinction.

Since its formation in 1961, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has adopted the panda in its logo. This emblem has become a global call to action to preserve endangered species and their natural habitats.

National Panda Day serves as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of wildlife, encouraging ongoing efforts in conservation. Today, we must reaffirm our commitment to protecting these gentle giants and the biodiversity they represent.
Missed this yesterday but in my defense, I was mostly offline yesterday...:o

[GeneChing]

The San Francisco Zoo will receive a pair of pandas from China (https://www.npr.org/2024/04/20/1246099651/pandas-san-francisco-china)

APRIL 20, 202411:45 AM ET
By The Associated Press

https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/04/20/ap24110204629732-3ea4f0dcc3180306321c57da30cc7b58235fb849-s800-c85.webp
San Francisco Mayor London Breed (left) and Wu Minglu, secretary general of the China Wildlife Conservation Association, hold up an agreement to lease giant pandas for the San Francisco Zoological Society and Gardens during a signing ceremony in Beijing on Friday.
Liu Zheng/AP

BEIJING — San Francisco is the latest U.S. city preparing to receive a pair of pandas from China, in a continuation of Beijing's famed "panda diplomacy."

San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced the panda loan in Beijing on Friday, alongside officials from China Wildlife Conservation Association, or CWCA. It will be San Francisco's first time hosting the beloved animals long-term — the result of a yearlong advocacy campaign, Breed said.

San Diego previously announced it was receiving two pandas back in February.

China is home to the only natural habitat for pandas and owns most of the black-and-white bears in the world. Beijing loans the animals to other countries as a tool for diplomacy and wildlife conservation.

"San Francisco is absolutely thrilled to be welcoming giant pandas to the San Francisco Zoo," Breed said after signing a letter of intent for international cooperation on giant panda conservation.

Breed said the city had been working with its Chinese and Asian communities to advocate for the pandas for almost a year leading up to an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting in San Francisco last November, during which the U.S. and Chinese presidents met.

CWCA Secretary General Wu Minglu said the association will work with San Francisco officials to prepare for the pandas' arrival and to ensure the technical standards for their conservation.

"We look forward to a pair of giant pandas being in San Francisco in 2025," he said.

When San Diego broke the news in February that it would receive a pair of pandas, it was the first time in more than two decades that China had agreed to send pandas to the United States.

Only four giant pandas are currently in the U.S., all at the zoo in Atlanta. China in recent years has not renewed loan agreements at zoos in Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, sparking fears it was ending its historic panda diplomacy with Western nations due to geopolitical tensions.

The black-and-white bears have been a symbol of U.S.-China friendship ever since Beijing gifted a pair of pandas to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., in 1972, ahead of the normalization of bilateral relations. China later loaned pandas to zoos to help breed cubs and boost the population.

Friday's announcement comes ahead of a planned visit to China next week by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Washington and Beijing have boosted their diplomatic exchanges in recent months, in an effort to ease escalating tensions. But frictions remain on trade, national security and the countries' diverging stances on conflicts such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war.

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