Thursday, October 14, 2004

When Pandas Ruled The World



China is known for many things, but none are more endearing than the Giant Panda. Chengdu is home to the Chinese National Panda Breeding Center. With only 1,000 Giant Pandas left in the wild, centers like this one represent the future hopes of this species. With 600 stunningly beautiful acres, and dozens of wonderful Pandas (including adults, cubs, and red pandas), the Panda center in Chengdu is one of China’s national treasures.

Giant Pandas are extremely difficult to breed successfully in captivity. Assisted reproductive techniques are required to propagate the species (go IVF!). Chengdu is perhaps the largest breeding center in the world and is currently the home of 41 Giant Pandas. For comparison, the U. S. has tried to breed pandas 5 or 6 times, each unsuccessful, and we currently have zero living Giant Pandas. You can see why Giant Pandas are the pride of China.

Enjoy the Panda Photo Gallery.

Enjoy the Panda Videos:
Two Pandas Eating.*
Playful Cub.
More of the Playful Cub.
One Panda Eating.

*Large file could take a while to load.

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Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not that I haven't loved every post so far, but the Panda one is my favorite! I love the videos and the photos. I just want to reach in there and huge one or two or three of them. :-) They are amazing. How lucky are you to have been able to see them.

- Jaime

11:37 AM  

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