rhkkmk

i have my pet, a panda, i allow him to live in la la land, aka cambridge...he is at my beck and call

Kathie

And, Mango, I understand that attorney Pandas are especially vicious. Beware!

rhkkmk

when they see either the green of money or the red of blood they get very violent...

Gpanda

Scurrilous rumors. Pandas are universally beloved. Not a mean bone in our bodies. We are capable of contructing a cogent argument, but it's all in good fun.

Can anyone imagine a thread entitled "I want to hug a Needhamite"? Unlikely. Call an exterminator.

dogster

For those as lost as I am - a Google search on Needhamite reports as follows:

"Needham is a town southwest of Boston with about 1 bank per household. Its teenage population consists of mostly burnouts, rich chicks and jocks. Needham is so boring that the cops don't have anything better to put in the police blotter than "Baked Goods Mistaken For Weapons" and "Truck Backs Into Gift Shop."

Could this be what Gpanda is talking about?

Kathie

LOL, dogster, good to see you posting again.

hawaiiantraveler

Pictures of the scam and panda abuse.

I think the last one is an attorney sans the speedos


http://tinyurl.com/5pzgca

Kathie

I see, it's the red pandas that are vicious. I now understand why Bob is always accusing Gpanda of being a "red."

rhkkmk

kathie---its not red, its a pinko....

would have to be a big speedo to put all that in...

annieandh

Hi Sue
The web site for the Panda centre in Chengdu is www.panda.org.cn/english

You will find all the info you need on this site. They also have guides at the centre at an extra cost to take you around for a better look at everything.

To hold for 5 min & have your photo taken with a baby panda will probably cost about US$180. To sit next to an adult panda for photos is less.

Cheers,
Annie

downunderjack

Thanks for the very informative website annie. The Panda Center looks legit to me but some other people might have different feelings on the place, especially the self proclaimed Brit Chinese expert

annieandh

Hi d.u.jack. I'm an aussie too I also have a website for the Moonbear centre but it is only open at certain times of the year & you have too travel a bit. I can't squeeze it into my trip this time & I guess it depends how keen you are on moon bears.
Annie

SanDiegoSue

Thanks everyone. We've decided not to visit Chengdu. So, I'll just have to get my panda fix at our San Diego Zoo. No hugging, however!
Sue

laowai

As a British?Chinese couple who have spent many years exploring the natural wonders of Sichuan, we have come to realise that genuine conservation for vthis region means protecting all wildlife and not just concentrating on breeding Pandas in zoo conditions. In Sichuan we have endangered Pheasants, Monkeys, Bears and big Cats that all need a helping hand. Just before the earthquake one of my friends made the harrowing discovery of a fresh Snow Leopard skin hanging in a village very close to the Wolong area - it would be nice if other unique species also benefited a bit more from the considerable revenue those Pandas generate.

Another point to note is that by traveling into these wildlife rich, ecologically sensetive areas as independent travelers - handling directly with the local and not through some travel agency, when using local bus services, local restaurants and local hotels etc etc - then you are ensuring more of your money stays within the local community, When you use the big tour agencies I doubt hardly a penny of the often grossly inflated fees ever gets into a deserving local hand - all that income just floats back to the big cities or indeed overseas!!!

By going out of way to support real local income - we are giving the people of the area real reasons for why they should actively be supporting the conservation of their local area. This is the real concept behind eco-tourism. There are guides in Sichuan, costing a great deal less that many of the big tour operators, who will help those travelers who want to follow the eco-tourist route.

Fabio2008

yes, you can. You can ask the staff in the center to allow you to do that.

Mango7

I don't know what the big deal is about Pandas. There are infinitely cuter things out there that aren't vicious like Pandas can be.

Gpanda

This is an unfair ad pandinem attack. We're not viscious, merely observant.

thursdaysd

Every time I see this thread I start thinking that the panda may not want to be hugged....

Gpanda

T-true enough. It's my brethren and sistern that are the hug hogs. A firm handshake is sufficient for me.

Mango7

Sorry G