Panda cub update: Zoo releases new video of Mei Xiang and cub by Geezer

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Panda cub update: Zoo releases new video of Mei Xiang and cub

POSTED BY: GEEZER
UPDATED: Thursday, November 7, 2013 09:11
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Thursday, September 12, 2013 8:56 AM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up

http://wtop.com/41/3449406/Panda-cub-update-Zoo-releases-new-video-of-
Mei-Xiang-and-cub

Awww

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Friday, September 13, 2013 2:26 AM

AGENTROUKA

There's good and bad zoos. The good ones at least try to approximate a natural environment and create exercise and play opportunities for their "prisoners". For some endangered species, the controlled environment and breeding programs are even a shot at preserving the species entirely. Pandas come to mind here. For many children, a love of wild animals and enthusiasm for preserving their natural habitats starts with seeing them at the zoo, one would imagine.

I come out in favor, as long as they're created to suit animals needs reasonably.

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Friday, September 13, 2013 9:35 AM

AGENTROUKA

I don't blame you for your views, they are not wrong. I just think, imperfect as they may be, zoos are currently a reasonable solution to a problem that will absolutely not be solved in the short-term: habitat loss, poaching, etc, all the things that threaten endangered species.

I don't think doing away with zoos will contribute to solving those problems, while reducing some of the things that might help: children caring about wildlife, and housing and breeding endangered species.

In some ways, though, I don't see a world happening where we never have to cage or corral any animals. Unless we stop using/eating and thus eliminate all domesticated species, they will need to be kept in a contained environment, since they have no "natural" habitat.

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Saturday, September 14, 2013 9:28 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

I agree with both of you, and was like you, G, then came to the same conclusion. Largely because the S.F. Zoo was really bad, didn't get the funds needed, and I was grateful to see them working to improve it; now it's a lot more one of the 'good' ones, but has a ways to go.

So I have mixed feelings; haven't been to one in ages, but we don't do many of the things we used to and I can't walk far anymore, so it's a moot point. I recognize the positives, and applaud all the innovations people have come up with, and think it is important that people actually get to SEE animals they never would otherwise (helps us protect them), but yeah, I wish...

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Sunday, September 22, 2013 10:16 PM

OONJERAH

National Zoo's Panda Cub Turns 4 Weeks Old
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/National-Zoos-Panda-Cub-Turns-
4-Weeks-Old-224616341.html

"The National Zoo's panda cub turned four weeks old Friday, and
zoo staff say the little munchkin looks like Mom -- and Dad. ...
"The tiny cub also isn't as tiny as she once was. Earlier this week,
the zoo announced the baby girl weighs almost two pounds; on Friday,
they noted that she's nearly as round as she is long."

TWO pounds? She's 2! lbs?

Do you know how big a baby elephant or a horse colt is when it
hits the ground? Big difference is, off course, colt gotta be
able to stand up and walk/trot/run within minutes.

Hmmm. I posted this thinking, "Yeah, our animals threads are
always fun & cheerful! Let's bump it." But then, I read it.

As for animals' rights & welfare, I rather doubt my species is
capable of getting that right. Indeed, our respect for human
rights appears always tentative, shakey. I truly do trust our
greed & self-serving will continue to triumph over wisdom and
love. To change Man into someone more noble & fair would
need a change at the genetic level.

I see us as savages.

The visionaries tell us of Utopia. We keep building Dystopia.
(I woke up today hoping that this place is just a holodeck.)

======================
A man's gotta know his responsibilties.

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Sunday, September 22, 2013 10:18 PM

MAGONSDAUGHTER

I too have mixed feelings about zoos, and know that there are zoos and zoos. Some have a conservation ethos, some have an entertainment ethos, most fall somewhere uneasily in the middle.

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Monday, September 23, 2013 12:05 PM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

I love how she cuddled with him at the very end. Very loving mommy, it's adorable.

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