Where the conservation of species is concerned, the giant panda is surely the most powerful symbol in the world. Recent developments indicate that panda diplomacy is now in vogue.
In the third national census conducted by WWF in 2004, it is estimated that there are about 1600 left in the wild - an increase of more than 40 percent previously known to exist. The 2004 survey showed that there are 23,049km2 of panda habitat in China.
A national treasure in China, the panda is also the symbol of the World Wildlife Foundation since its formation in 1961.
Pandas live mainly bamboo forests high in the mountains of western China. Most of the wild population being distributed between the Qinling and Minshan Mountains.
Pandas eat the leaves, stems, and shoots of various bamboo species.
Since bamboo contains very little nutritional value, pandas must eat 12-38kg every day to meet their energy needs.
About 1% of their diet is made up of other plants and meat. Sometimes, the panda will hunt for pikas and other small rodents.
Pandas belong to the bear family and have the same digestive system of a carnivore. However, due to environmental factors, they have adapted to a vegetarian diet.
Hence, it is essential that they live close to areas where bamboo is abundant. A key threat to their survival is the loss of bamboo habitat.
Wikipedia refers to "Panda Diplomacy" as China's use of Giant Pandas as diplomatic gifts to other countries. The practice existed as far back as the Tang Dynasty, when Empress Wu Zetian (625–705) sent a pair of pandas to the Japanese emperor. From 1958 to 1982, China gave 23 pandas to nine different countries.
By 1984, however, pandas were no longer used purely as agents of diplomacy. Instead, China began to offer pandas to other nations only on ten-year loans. The standard loan terms include a fee of up to US$1,000,000 per year and a provision that any cubs born during the loan be the property of the People's Republic of China. Since 1998, because of a World Wildlife Fund lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows a U.S. zoo to import a panda only if the zoo can ensure that China will channel more than half of its loan fee into conservation efforts for wild pandas and their habitat.
Pandas have become important diplomatic symbols, not only to China. In a visit by Hu Jintao to Japan in May 2008, China announced the loan of two Pandas to Japan. The President was quoted as saying "Giant pandas are very popular among the Japanese, and they are a symbol of the friendly ties between Japan and China." CLICK HERE for more.
The Star reported that Malaysians will soon be able to see the iconic but endangered Giant Panda in real life. China will loan two baby pandas to the country for 10 years.
This follows an agreement between the Government and China Wildlife Conservation Association, in commemoration of the countries' 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said in a statement yesterday.
According to a Bernama statement:
Since bamboo contains very little nutritional value, pandas must eat 12-38kg every day to meet their energy needs.
About 1% of their diet is made up of other plants and meat. Sometimes, the panda will hunt for pikas and other small rodents.
Pandas belong to the bear family and have the same digestive system of a carnivore. However, due to environmental factors, they have adapted to a vegetarian diet.
Hence, it is essential that they live close to areas where bamboo is abundant. A key threat to their survival is the loss of bamboo habitat.
Wikipedia refers to "Panda Diplomacy" as China's use of Giant Pandas as diplomatic gifts to other countries. The practice existed as far back as the Tang Dynasty, when Empress Wu Zetian (625–705) sent a pair of pandas to the Japanese emperor. From 1958 to 1982, China gave 23 pandas to nine different countries.
By 1984, however, pandas were no longer used purely as agents of diplomacy. Instead, China began to offer pandas to other nations only on ten-year loans. The standard loan terms include a fee of up to US$1,000,000 per year and a provision that any cubs born during the loan be the property of the People's Republic of China. Since 1998, because of a World Wildlife Fund lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows a U.S. zoo to import a panda only if the zoo can ensure that China will channel more than half of its loan fee into conservation efforts for wild pandas and their habitat.
Pandas have become important diplomatic symbols, not only to China. In a visit by Hu Jintao to Japan in May 2008, China announced the loan of two Pandas to Japan. The President was quoted as saying "Giant pandas are very popular among the Japanese, and they are a symbol of the friendly ties between Japan and China." CLICK HERE for more.
The Star reported that Malaysians will soon be able to see the iconic but endangered Giant Panda in real life. China will loan two baby pandas to the country for 10 years.
This follows an agreement between the Government and China Wildlife Conservation Association, in commemoration of the countries' 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said in a statement yesterday.
According to a Bernama statement:
He said the choice of the Wetland Park was made also because it was easy for the people to go.
“We appreciate the panda bears because they symbolise the close relationship between Malaysia and China.
“The people should have access to the bears and we choose the Wetland Park because the place is easy for the people to go,” he told reporters after the 1 Malaysia community gotong-royong with participants of the National Service Training Programme at Kampung Sauk here.
Can you imagine the cost of maintaining those pandas? And at whose expense? Is it justified?
Well, we need not go to Putrajaya or China to see pandas! Atlanta Zoo runs a live cam for its Pandas. The site said that thanks to a generous gift from EarthCam, fans all over the world can continue to enjoy watching Zoo Atlanta’s giant pandas.
The live stream will be broadcast Monday – Friday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (EST) AT THIS LINK.
CLICK THIS LINK to enjoy lovable and cute photos of pandas FREE OF CHARGE :-).
Those endearing pictures of pandas will certainly provide comic relief for our reaction to the imponderable pandering of pandas!
Have a lovely evening!
