Edinburgh Zoo Pandamonium to hit Edinburgh! #2

Among the press releases covering the Edinburgh pair's arrival was mention of their 'normal activity pattern' of 'two hours feeding followed by two hours sleeping'. Pandas I've seen in the past at London didn't seem to follow that regime very closely- it seemed mostly the sleeping part. However I suspect at least during the initial months of their stay, while their surroundings are still fairly new, that the Edinburgh ones will be suitably active for their visitors.
 
Pertinax said:
Among the press releases covering the Edinburgh pair's arrival was mention of their 'normal activity pattern' of 'two hours feeding followed by two hours sleeping'. Pandas I've seen in the past at London didn't seem to follow that regime very closely- it seemed mostly the sleeping part. However I suspect at least during the initial months of their stay, while their surroundings are still fairly new, that the Edinburgh ones will be suitably active for their visitors.
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Perhaps the colder air keeps them more active!! Seriously, I always had a feeling that Giant Pandas would have appreciated Whipsnade more than London - I don't think they're heat lovers!!
 
Actually, "'normal activity pattern' of 'two hours feeding followed by two hours sleeping'" just means that the pandas get new bamboo and some treats by the keepers every 4 hours. Pandas can sleep for lots of hours, if the keepers don't wake them up because of cleaning their enclosure and bringing fresh bamboo. I hope the visitors won't be too disappointed when they watch only sleeping pandas without any activity - if the pandas don't hide and sleep in sight of the visitors ...
 
Jola said:
Actually, "'normal activity pattern' of 'two hours feeding followed by two hours sleeping'" just means that the pandas get new bamboo and some treats by the keepers every 4 hours. Pandas can sleep for lots of hours, if the keepers don't wake them up because of cleaning their enclosure and bringing fresh bamboo.
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Thankyou for the explanation- so this is obviously a human-influenced activity pattern, not a biological one! Presumably it could be altered depending on how often they were fed/interacted with too.

Maybe Edinburgh should be preparing some 'Pandas snoozing- Do Not Disturb' notices for their exhibit.;)
 
I can see a lot of people coming back from here and saying- well we saw the Giant Pandas- at least, we saw one of them.;) Or will there be public access indoors too?
 
I thought the pandas weren't on view until the 16th? I know some people saaw them the other day when the press was invited but thought it would be closed off after that until the 16th. Hope those people who visited today come back disappointed!
 
Mr T said:
I thought the pandas weren't on view until the 16th? I know some people saaw them the other day when the press was invited but thought it would be closed off after that until the 16th. Hope those people who visited today come back disappointed!
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It opens to the general public on the 16th - it opens to members of RZSS today, so they get three days first dibs. In my opinion, this is more than fair as a big thank you to people who have given their cash to the zoo for a membership - I personally think these sort of perks are excellent [coming from a non-member, so not biased].
 
Javan Rhino said:
I personally think these sort of perks are excellent [coming from a non-member, so not biased].
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Totally agree, other zoos could learn from this. It's a pet peeve of mine that NEZS members are often penalised when it comes to paid events.

I hope the Edinburgh members make the most of the opportunity, but that the pandas don't put in an appearance until Friday. ;)
 
Shorts said:
Penalised? How?
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"Christmas Lunch at Oakfield Manor [sic]" (it never was and never will be a manor)
"Join us this December for a fantastic three course Christmas lunch in Oakfield Manor, and receive free all-day admission to the zoo from 10am."
"£28.50 per adult, £26.95 members"

That's a £1.55 discount for members (the standard 20% member café/shop discount should equate to £5.70). Additionally, non-members gain from receiving free entry to the zoo, worth £12.50 without the donation.
 
Well i just got back from the Zoo and i was not dissappointed. Saw both pandas... the old enclosure has been tranformed... the inside are still pretty dark.. not so great to take pictures but both pandas were on view... Sweetie was eating bamboo and occasionally peeked outside but got to admit that if i wasnt seeing the pandas with the weather i wouldnt have been outside!. Sunshine was wandering very casually in and out. Both looked settled and it was totally worth the drive up and down.

The system to see them worked perfectly.. it wasnt totally strict... so when Sunshine sneeked back out as my tour was leaving they allowed us more time to take extra pictures.
 
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