Pandas at Edinburgh Zoo

Tian Tian

The first giant pandas to live in the United Kingdom are residing at Edinburgh Zoo and they had not yet had the pleasure of a visit from myself. So I decided to rectify this, book a viewing spot, and take myself along to see them. There is something about these magnificently beautiful creatures that takes away our powers of speech, allowing only utterances of "oohs" and "aahs", and they have, as expected, provided a major attraction for the zoo. They are a potential breeding pair, although this in itself is a major undertaking. Female pandas can only conceive once a year, coming into heat for just two to four days, which can make any attempts at successful reproduction somewhat difficult. Should mating take place, job done, the male will leave the female to raise the cub by herself - ring a bell with anyone out there?

Yang Guang

All joking apart, I found the giant pandas quite breathtaking, one of the marvels of the natural world. They had arrived in Edinburgh from China in a specially chartered jet, and even had a tartan commissioned in their honour, giving them real VIP status. And according to their keepers, they each have their own very distinct personality. Tian Tian, the female - her name means sweet - was born in Beijing on 24th August 2003 and has already given birth to twins. Although she is very quiet and reserved, she has a mischievous side as well, sometimes agreeing to take part in her training, at others deciding today is not a day to participate. Ever the lady, she eats very slowly and delicately, and has a passion for panda cake and carrots. She is, by all accounts, a panda of great character and very smart - definitely female through and through!
Yang Guang, the gentleman of the pair, came into the world on 14th August 2003 in Wolong. His name translates as sunshine and, his keepers say, is an eager participant in his training, taking part every time. He shows no aggression towards them and will quite happily allow close contact. He loves his food - what man doesn't - favouring above all else large and thick bamboo canes. He loves the outdoors, even when the rain is pouring down. A patient, gentle giant who loves exploring, he likes nothing better than to climb into his basket for a snooze following a good old
bamboo feast. No comment is necessary here, ladies!
Pandas have no natural predators. Their decline in numbers is due purely to mankind's wanton destruction of lowland areas, forcing them to find new habitats in which to live. Breeding programmes are therefore of vital importance to ensure this wonderful species continues. But it all takes time, and we can only hope that time is on their side. We cannot, and must not, lose these cuddly giants, so majestic, so amusing, drawing you to them with their distinctive black and white colouring. They are spending ten years in total at Edinburgh Zoo, so fingers crossed that the breeding programme being undertaken here, and indeed any others, bear fruit and panda cubs are successfully reared to ensure future generations can be as smitten as we all were as we gazed at the antics of the giant pandas.