GIANT PANDA'S EYES WILL BE STUDIED FURTHER
An older male panda of 20 years, named Xiao Ming has been going through some eye surgery recently. Xiao, a wild panda, was discovered by farmers in the mountains in Taibai County, northwest China's Shaanix province in March 2007. He was weak and blind when he was found and was sent to the research center in Xi'an, which is the capital of the province. Veterinarians discovered that the Xiao was completely blind in his right eye and had a cataract in his left eye.
A consultant with the World Cataract Foundation had performed cataract surgery on Xiao's left eye back in December of last year, which was successsful. But when the doctor went in recently to implant a artificial crystal into Xiao's left eye, that would improve the vision, he realized that pandas need an artificial crystal tailor-made for them. He has contacted a foreign supplier to make the panda lens. They will continue to collect more comprehensive data on panda eyes for future implants.
Ma Qingyi, director of the center, said that pandas are near-sighted animals. Forty-to-Sixty percent of wild pandas suffer from cataracts and other eye diseases.
PANDA ENCLOSURE CONSTRUCTION CONTINUING DESPITE THE HEAT
Its hot, hot, hot at the Adelaide Zoo! Despite this, we are in full swing! The plumbing and electrical supply (below ground) are almost entirely completed to the Giant Panda exhibit and are progressing well across other areas of the site. This has cleared the way for the pouring of the concrete footings to the Giant Panda holding building which will become Wang Wang and Funi's new home. This work is scheduled for later this week, pending further hot weather.
The hot conditions have slowed work on site, but this has given the project team an opportunity to finalize the majority of tenderers and trade packages. Shop drawings are currently been reviewed for elements such as precast concrete, structural steel and the perimeter fence. Last week also saw the achievement of several project milestones. The site sign has been installed in the location of the old 'what's the buzz' sign. It also marked the first concrete pour on site, resulting in the pouring of footings for the block work retaining walls to the Giant Panda exhibit dry moats.
The new Entrance Building will have significant extent of 'green walls' and a 'green roof'. The green walls are made from vertical planted cells that will house native plants. Planting of cells commenced last week off site at a nursery in Victoria. The plants will be be established there and then transported to Adelaide for installation in June this year.
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EDINBURGH BIGINS PUBLISHING INFO ABOUT PANDAS ON THEIR WEBSITE
The Edinburgh Zoo who is in negotiations with China,to bring a breeding pair of pandas to their zoo, has begun publishing information all about giant pandas and their characteristics. No news yet on official date that all of this will take place, but they are keeping their t's crossed and i's dotted.
WOLONG PANDA CLUB ANNOUNCES DONATION FROM QUAN-U FURNITURE
On February 23rd, 2009, a motorcade made by 5 trucks of Chengdu Quan U Furniture Co., Ltd. comes to CCRCPG Ya'an Bifengxian Base. The materials on the trucks are donated by QuanU for building cabins for the giant pandas. It is worth more than 200,000 RMB. QuanU selects, designs and processes the materials carefully to meet the habitat of the giant pandas. In total of 4 cabins are built respectively in the No.1, No. 2 and No.4 House. The employees of QuanU disregard the hardship and finish building the 4 cabins in one day. When giant panda Xi Mei finds there is a more beautiful house in her enclosure, she is very happy. After looking over, she goes into the house and is not willing to leave.
As the enterprise of environment friendly furniture, QuanU is always participating in kinds of environmental conservation career and public welfare. In 2004, it adopts giant panda You You for lifetime at CCRCGP. After 5.12 earthquake, it is paying close attention to Wolong's giant pandas and making funds for them
Xi Mei likes very much!
MERCEDES BENZ (China) ALSO TO HELP RECONSTRUCTION OF WOLONG
After the talking, Mercedes-Benz (China) primarily intends to make over the panda kindergarten with the hope of constructing a warmer and more beautiful home for the cubs. Besides, they will support the center's scientific research projects to promote the further development of giant panda conservation career. Mercedes-Benz (China) participates in nature protection career positively for a long term. It provides successive aids to World's Natural Heritage in China, including the giant panda's habitat in Ya'an City, Sichuan Province. Their support to the giant pandas of CCRCGP will be the sublimation of their Green Legacy Program.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!
In the first week of the new semester, an activity that dealt with the psychological impacts of the quake was held again by the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. It was one in a series of activities held by the base after the earthquake, and included collecting donated goods, rice, and laptops, and organizing Children's Day activities and a summer camp. Experts in creative drama education were invited to work together to conduct activities at the Longmenshan Town Elementary School. The purpose of the activities were to increase the students’ confidence semester and to help them to enjoy life and the new semester.
After the activities, students shared their feelings. Most expressed a happiness that they’ve rarely felt since the quake and they hoped to have more programs and activities such as this one.
ZOO ATLANTA RECEIVES BEAUTIFUL QUILT
Thursday, February 26
Every once in a while, one of our giant panda fans truly goes the extra mile to show their love for and dedication to our favorite black-and-white royalty. On February 16, longtime panda fan Cherie Goodwin of Massachusetts presented Zoo Atlanta’s Carnivore Department with a gorgeous handmade quilt inspired by spectacular photos of – guess who – our very own Xi Lan, Mei Lan, Lun Lun and Yang Yang. Ms. Goodwin also brought a toy ball for Xi Lan and gifts for his keepers. (But we all know that getting to watch Xi Lan play with his new ball will be a gift in itself!)
On behalf of your panda friends in Atlanta, thank you, Cherie, for the beautiful work of your hands and your heart.
Here is a another photo that you can view the quilt up close by clicking on it. That is Cherie on the left holding up the quilt. Congratulations, Cherie! Thanks, to bob2cleo of flickr for this second photo.
