Are you more likely to visit a zoo with giant pandas?

[PAT]

Koalas are similar. The ears make their head look bigger, and they have round furry bodies. I've often heard people go completely ga-ga when looking into a koala's eyes, something I don't understand - when I look into a Koala's eyes, absolutely nothing stares back. It's like a vacant stare.



Hix

And usually if you're close enough to see into their eyes then you're close enough to smell them which is a real turn off on the cute factor.

 

[jay]

They maybe safe in the south phoenix but they are in trouble in Queensland

And not always safe either. Larger populations can lead to a huge crash in numbers as they overpopulate (something humans need to learn). And don't some of the southern populations have that disease (can't think what it is) which could lead to crashes in their population?

 

[jay]

I'll be visiting the pandas in Adelaide, not because I'm overly fond of them but because this will probably be my only oppurtunity to see them.

 

[Hix]

And don't some of the southern populations have that disease (can't think what it is) which could lead to crashes in their population?

Chlamydia.

AS for the pandas I wouldn't go to Adelaide just to see them, but I will certainly use them as an excuse to go back to South Australia.



Hix

 

[MARK]

And not always safe either. Larger populations can lead to a huge crash in numbers as they overpopulate (something humans need to learn). And don't some of the southern populations have that disease (can't think what it is) which could lead to crashes in their population?

The major problem in Queensland in regards to the Koala population is land clearing for housing and roads, a number of areas now have had a steep decline in numbers in the last few years

 

[Pertinax]

I m still not able to understand why people love seeing panda's. I think together with koala's this is the most overrated species in captivity.

Both species exhibit high doses of 'Cuddle Factor' I think its been proved that animals with round faces, compact round bodies, short (or no) tails, soft fur etc fall into this category, which the Giant Panda in particular, combines with a startling black & white color combination. These are the species which hold the highest 'visitor appeal', along with baby animals of many other species, judged solely by the 'look' of them.

I agree that in reality neither make very interesting exhibits as their behaviour patterns rather preclude this but that won't stop people continuing to want to see them in real life if they get the chance.

 

[gallenwolf]

In answer to the OP's question, no. Wolves, dingoes, wild dogs, foxes etc oh yeah I'm hoping for a free weekend to check out corsac foxes soon.

I've had a chance to hold koalas at Cleland wildlife park and Gorge wildlife park. They aren't _that_ cuddly in real life tbh. Koala fur is not that soft, and the koalas are very well insulated, I don't feel I'm holding something alive, even though its chewing away on the leaves

I went to belair national park in SA and saw like at least a dozen wild koalas chilling on the trees. Even saw one with a joey. This was early 09.

Alvin

 

[Simon McGlary]

I think for the avid zoo visitor, it varies as we allhave different species that we are all passionate about. For me, I'l be visiting Edinburgh anyway because it's my local zoo and I'm a volunteer there anyway.

It's ironic that the Edinburgh could well end up being the only zoo in the UK holding two iconic species from other nations, the koala and the panda. Species that are famous for what? Holding on to a tree and sleeping! Try and explain to the general public when they comment "But it's sleeping!" that that is preciesly what they do for about 80% of the day! Because their diet is so specific and so nutritionally poor, to conserve energy they sleep all day.

It's all part of the wonderful educational role of zoos! "This animal's sleeping", "Yes, they do that in the wild as well!"

 

[Pertinax]

It's ironic that the Edinburgh could well end up being the only zoo in the UK holding two iconic species from other nations, the koala and the panda.

Do you think Edinburgh will definately obtain the Pandas? There has been debate on the American forums about several US zoos that in the last few years were supposed to be getting Pandas(and in one case Golden Monkeys) and then on each occassion China backed out of the deals.

Might this now happen at Edinburgh too?

 

[Simon McGlary]

Do you think Edinburgh will definately obtain the Pandas? There has been debate on the American forums about several US zoos that in the last few years were supposed to be getting Pandas(and in one case Golden Monkeys) and then on each occassion China backed out of the deals.

Might this now happen at Edinburgh too?

From what I understand all that remains is to be given a date. Possibly sometime in 2010 or more likely early 2011. One thing I've learnt in my first year as a volunteer at Edinburgh is that you believe nothing until it happens!

Animal collections manager, Ian Valentine, has and incredible ability of doing other zoos 'favours' in looking after animals on a temporary basis (the Heck cattle being an example.) This is no bad thing as it makes it easier to call in favours from other zoos and also shows that Edinburgh Zoo has a great willingness to assist and co-operate with other zoos.

With Edinburgh's increasing willingness to work on a research front, with its own in house labs, and access to many vetinary specialists it makes the possibility of pandas coming to Edinburgh much more likely.

I don't think being one of the first zoo to provide financial assistance to the Woolong sanctoary after the earthquake did Edinburgh's standing any harm at all!

 

[Cat-Man]

Do you think Edinburgh will definately obtain the Pandas? There has been debate on the American forums about several US zoos that in the last few years were supposed to be getting Pandas(and in one case Golden Monkeys) and then on each occassion China backed out of the deals.

Might this now happen at Edinburgh too?

but several us zoos have pandas (and LA and Oakland are close to the SD ZOO)

For people in the uk, the closest is either madrid or berlin, so i wouldn't be suprised if a uk zoo does get pandas.

 

[Jose]

well here in the Mexico city zoo of chapultepec park , there are 3 resident pandas 2 of which are quite elderly , but despite a fine enclosure with plenty of room , appropriate food etc they always seem lethargic and half awake , they often sleep up in a raised platform and very rarely come down , actually the pandas are not the main interest or attraction of the zoo for me i geuss i can take them or leave them , but i prefer animals which are more active and pandas are kind of overated i geuss , for me other animals are of more interest

 

[HungarianBison]

I don't want to visit zoos only because of pandas. It's a rare and interesting species, but panda isn't equal to a good zoo.

 

[TheMightyOrca]

I've never seen pandas in person, so yeah, pandas at a zoo would be a plus for me personally.

Besides, aren't most zoos with pandas usually large and well-praised zoos? The closest panda zoos to me are Memphis and Mexico City, and they both have plenty of other interesting species that I'd like to see.

 

[MRJ]

I've seen pandas in 6 zoos now, but did not visit any of them specifically to see pandas. Sure the first time, in Tokyo 40 years ago, was a thrill, but since then it's been a bit ho-hum.

 

[BerdNerd]

Kind of. China has strict regulations about who they send pandas to, so only the best of the best zoos get them. Because of this, if a zoo has pandas, I know they're probably a good zoo. Pandas however, are not a priority on my "to see" list and are nowhere near my favorite animal.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

No.

 

[Valentinoamor]

I've seen Giant Pandas at Memphis and Atlanta (with Atlanta having cubs during my visit) so I'd say I've been fortunate when it comes to seeing them. They're not something I can go and see at any zoo, so I'm never unhappy to see them, but I wouldn't go to a zoo just to see the pandas. The zoo would have to exhibit other species I haven't seen before/want to see.

 

[ThylacineAlive]

Besides, aren't most zoos with pandas usually large and well-praised zoos? The closest panda zoos to me are Memphis and Mexico City, and they both have plenty of other interesting species that I'd like to see.

Kind of. China has strict regulations about who they send pandas to, so only the best of the best zoos get them. Because of this, if a zoo has pandas, I know they're probably a good zoo. Pandas however, are not a priority on my "to see" list and are nowhere near my favorite animal.

Short answer, no. China does not send pandas only to "the best of the best zoos", they send them to whomever will pay them millions of dollars for them. A zoo having pandas is not a sign of it being a good zoo, it's a sign of it thinking it either has the money or can generate the money to make them profitable. Sometimes this works out, such as with San Diego and Berlin, many other times it does not (Toronto, Adelaide, Edinburgh). In terms of at least Edinburgh, it's very clear that their insistence to continue to keep pandas is THE reason this zoo is no longer considered amongst the best in the UK.

While I have visited a good deal of zoos in Europe and the US with pandas, I have never visited these zoos because they keep pandas.

~Thylo

 

[Austin the Sengi]

I have seen Mei Xiang and Tian Tian at Smithsonian National Zoo several years ago and I’m hoping to see them next year along with their new cub hopefully.Not to mention I am hoping to visit Zoo Atlanta and their pandas this fall.