May 30, 2008
Oh Noes! The Pandas Need Our Help!
According to a press release today from National Zoo Director John Barry, the earthquake that devastated some areas of China on May 12 put the Wolong Panda Reserve and the viability of its programs at risk.
D.C.'s own adult giant pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, were born in the reserve's breeding center, and the National Zoo has been working on panda conservation with Wolong for more than 20 years. Located in China's southwest Sichuan province, the reserve and its 86 pandas were reported safe after the earthquake, however according to CNN, "the animals' caregivers are left to determine how resources like food and medical supplies will reach the bases, which contain breeding facilities and triage centers."
The National Zoo is urging all panda-lovers to donate to their Giant Panda Conservation Fund to help the Wolong Breeding Center "as it rebuilds and provides support for the giant pandas and their dedicated caretakers." With the donations, the zoo will be replenishing the center's supplies and equipment, and helping with renovations.
Donations can be made on the National Zoo website, or by mailing a check.
Photo by Roxandabear.
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Oh my god! An actual "in-earthquake" shot! Well that panda just registered a 7.1 on the cuteness scale! AWWW.
On our recent trip, we were served Pressed Panda with Peanuts, and . . . .
Sorry. I thought this was The Weekly Feed.
the people probably need our help too....guess chinese folk just aren't as photogenic, eh?
China cynically uses its panda population to extort literally $millions from western softies who just can't bear imagining a zoo without a cage for the pretty beasts.
Really, China has more than adequate resources to handle this; it's just another easy way to rip off foreigners.
Did you know that the national zoo (and all other zooz throughout the west) rents the pandas on display and must relinqjuish any pandas born in the zoo to China - even after we've provided $, food, shelter and medical care to the animals?
It's a weird shakedown!!