I know I've got everyone hooked with the title, but let's be real, straight out the bat, is there a creature on this green earth more endearingly plump and benign than the humble panda?
They're big enough to hug, but not so big that they're scary. They're large proponents of eating bamboo, and even though it's essentially grass, I'll let it slide. I don't really know how they maintain their wonderfully large physique though, because grass probably wouldn't help me sustain my winter weight, lol.
Wellness queens!
Anyhow, back to the matter at hand, the hard facts of panda daycare
I will preface this by invoking the problematic wisdom of one of my animal-loving friends who – shockingly – remains ambivalent to the cuteness of pandas. I know!
She does have her reasons though because it is a pretty well-known fact that pandas are a bit of a menace to the environment and are, bless their souls, in all respects fairly ecologically defunct.
Evolutionary deficiencies apart, they are so cute!
Here are a couple of facts about pandas to make sure that our readers are well-versed in their knowledge of international panda discourses, though. Some are pretty rogue!
1 – Baby pandas can actually graduate from day-care!
Imagine how proud you'd be as a Mama Panda, watching your little pride and joy evolve through the echelons of the academic jungle world! I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
But seriously, outside of the round-the-clock care that the baby pandas receive in their sanctuary, the pandas can expect to eventually leave and go forth and prosper.
Indeed, they are ushered into the cruel machinations of …. Panda Kindergarten.
Okay, so I may have exaggerated the dramatic extent of the transformation, but it's super cute nonetheless. Trust me, or don't.
2 – Come and visit them, if you don't take my word for it!
Yes, you heard right, you can visit the baby pandas and see just how much they're thriving. That is if you have a spare few hundred pounds floating around. It'd so be worth it though.
You'd also get to feast your eyes on an array of swans, peacocks, red pandas, butterflies, and loads of other exotic creatures. What fun!
3 – The base has its roots firmly affixed to conservation efforts, so it's super sustainable
The panda population has been dwindling for about thirty years, since conservation efforts have been implemented to rectify this, ensuring that there are sufficient opportunities to not only extend the population numbers but in a way mindful of the environment.
While all pandas eat is bamboo, they eat so much of it that it can be quite damaging to the ecology of their environment, which is an important consideration in decisions.
4 – The sanctuary started over 30 years ago in the Chenghua District
This came about because of rescuers discovering and supporting six extremely ill pandas and plumping them up in order to live a better life. Over the course of many years of hard work and tough decisions, the district has overseen the successful breeding and support of over 150 pandas.
What a difference a couple of humans can make when we're not fighting each other!
Nationally, in China, this reflects the conservation efforts of pandas, as captive pandas in zoos can't reproduce very effectively. I won't make the joke about performance issues here, but I will threaten it. (Please forgive me, panda lovers).
So there you have it, a better insight into the complex politicised nuances of panda ontology. Let's start a debate!
… or just admire how cute they are from our computer screens, instead.
Both are extremely valid avenues, but while you're at your screen, it might be worth seeing if there are any conservation relief efforts or programs that you can support from your desk!
