Tag Archives: pandas

Encouraging Panda Repopulation

There are less than two thousand giant pandas living in the wild. What’s worse is that pandas are notoriously difficult when it comes to breeding. They are shy about getting together, and can have real trouble conceiving. At the National Zoo in Washington D.C., two resident pandas recently attempted to mate. Yay! But it didn’t work. Boo! So the zoo officials artificially inseminated the female, Mei Xiang. Yay? Last year’s artificial insemination attempt did not take, but zoo staff is hopeful that this year’s attempt will be a success. (Mei Xiang already has one cub, so here’s hoping for a … Continue reading →

China Protects Pandas Against Swine Flu

We have evidence here in the United States that both cats and ferrets can catch swine flu (H1N1) from humans. Officials in China are concerned that pandas may also be susceptible to the disease. A panda research center has been closed to visitors in hopes of protecting the endangered pandas from swine flu. The Shaanxi Wild Animal Rescue and Research Center started seeing increased numbers of swine flu cases and flu symptoms in general after the weather turned cold and snowy in November. Now they’ve put a halt on recruiting new volunteers and are not allowing staff members with flu-like … Continue reading →

Teaching Survival Skills to Pandas

Less than a year ago, China released a five year old panda into the wild. Why is this news? He was the world’s first artificially bred panda to be released. Unfortunately, Xiang Xiang didn’t survive. Scientists believe the panda fell from a height after a fight with wild animals (possibly other pandas) over food or territory. This is a terrible loss for the Wolong giant panda breeding center. But the loss of Xiang Xiang is inspiring scientists to work on better preparing future pandas for life in the wild. China has been making a serious effort to save the giant … Continue reading →

The Amazing Panda Adventure (1995)

Ryan Tyler’s parents are divorced. He lives with his mom and hasn’t seen his dad in two years, since his dad moved to China to help build and run a panda reserve. When his dad sends a ticket for Ryan to come visit, Ryan’s not really sure he wants to go. His dad has been so involved in his work, he’s missed a lot of important occasions in Ryan’s life and Ryan feels like his dad cares more about the pandas than about his own kid. Finally deciding to go only after his mother says he can come right home … Continue reading →

Panda Politics: The Tale of Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling

The year was 1972, the president Nixon. He’d made a historic trip to the People’s Republic of China, as he was the first U.S. President to do so. The mission: to stabilize diplomatic relations between the two countries. The result: success. The two countries were able to amicably communicate once more. As a gesture of thanks and goodwill, Mao Zedong, the Chairman of the People’s Republic at the time, gifted two giant pandas to Nixon: Hsing-Hsing (a one-and-a-half-year-old male) and Ling-Ling (a two-and-a-half-year-old female). They arrived at their new home, the National Zoo, on this date in 1972. Hsing-Hsing and … Continue reading →

Visiting Zoo Atlanta

I have written many blogs highlighting the wonderful attractions Atlanta, Georgia has to offer visitors and residents alike. Get ready, I have one more to add to the list. I just can’t help myself—there’s so much about the city that warrants gushing over (save for the horrendous traffic and the drivers—Atlanta drivers… let’s just leave that topic for another blog, this blog is about the city’s positive attributes). Not that you needed another, but now there’s one more reason to stop by Zoo Atlanta. A new resident has arrived at the zoo (and made history in the process)—she is the … Continue reading →