Panda Bears

The official national symbol of China is the dragon, but the panda also represents China internationally.  

For this reason, visiting pandas is a top tourist attraction.  They originated in the mountain ranges of central China, mainly in Sichuan province (where we are).  As a result of farming and deforestation they have been driven out of the lowland areas where they once lived and are now an endangered species.  

On Saturday we visited the Panda Base located here in Chengdu.  It is a world-class facility covering almost 2000 hectares 

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pand Breeding is a non-profit organization engaged  in wildlife research, captive breeding, conservation, education, and educational tourism.

The Chengdu Panda Base was founded  in 1987, with six giant pandas rescued from the wild.  At the end of 2010 Chengdu's captive population has increased to 97 individuals from that founding population of only six.  Genetic diversity in the population is sustained by the exchange of preserved genetic material from other facilities.  Chengdu Panda Base has not taken any giant pandas from the wild fro 20 years.  This demonstrates a unique and uncompromising commitment to the conservation of the wild population and the healthy growth of the captive population.

Due to research and commitment to animal health and welfare, 124 giant panda cubs have been born to this base in 85 litters, 88 survived and now we have 97.

A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air. "Why?" asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife annual and tosses it over his shoulder.  "I'm a panda," he says, at the door. "Look it up."  The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation.  Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves.

Just like kids sitting in the middle of a pile of toys, sometimes panda bears sitting on their large pile of bamboo, were attracted to the same stalk.  They would play tug-of-war for a few moments, then roll over, and absently start munching again. 

So what do you feel like doing after a big meal???

We walked from the area of the giant pandas to find the other 'pandas' contained at the Panda Base.  

Ralph (Brian's colleague), Heather (our guide) and Me

Brian wanted to know if I intentionally wore panda camouflage...No.

The red panda looks nothing like the black and white giant panda and in fact, is unrelated, except for the name and its diet of bamboo.  It has been classified in the family of bears and raccoons, but in fact is its own family.