Giant pandas coming to Edinburgh zoo? » Edinburgh Zoo

23-05-2008

Well if it does happen, i must say i am very excited about it, the zoo claims 2009 to open, they must have started the construction already!

and just my opinion wouldnt pandas be better at the highland wildlife park (as this is a more native habitat theme to them) if you know what i mean!

23-05-2008

It would be a mistake to send the pandas to the HWP (despite the theme) because being at the city site, there is a better chance to market the pandas and therefore earn more money off them.

23-05-2008

yes, but wouldt they get a much bigger enclosure with a little bit less shouting visitors?

its not always about publicity, in the wild pandas are quite secretive and i think it would be nice to give the animals a chance to live a more secluded life

23-05-2008

I'm not saying the pandas shouldn't get privacy, but the RZSS will want to earn something back for the huge fee that they will have to shell out in the first place. RZSS would be making a huge loss on the pandas if they were in the fairly remote location of the HWP and therefore would have to make cuts on other things (and this could further endanger the zoo's masterplan)

Also, Edinburgh is not like London (just comparing it to another city zoo) in that there is quite a bit of space at the site.

23-05-2008

It would be good if they could get an elderly pair for the city site and a breeding pair for HWP. But that ain't going to happen. Lets hope the enclosure is built to accommodate all the panda need and not to get as many people viewing them as possible!

I hope they also design in mind a life after panda's (if that happens) always thought some of th giant panda enclosures with a little work would make good snow leopard enclosures

25-05-2008

Actually I was just kidding about Highland. I know full well that Edinburgh wouldn't part with a pair of giant pandas. If given the opportunity who would?

25-05-2008

Hope all go's well for the zoo with them, Guess they will get a brand new exhibit?

27-05-2008

Pretty much uniquely for a species in captivity, giant pandas ARE about money. The amount Edinburgh must pay will dictate that their pandas will have to work it pretty hard for hordes of visitors. This isn't about boosting Panda numbers, China is doing just fine with their captive breeding effort. Edinburgh will want these animals to be on show as much as is possible.

28-05-2008

Don't forget the Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey-and the current LA Zoo deal...quite similar situation.

@Pertinax: My pleasure.

28-05-2008

Edinburgh is sending help to the Wolong panda centre.
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Edinburgh, East and Fife | Zoo sends aid to pandas in China

18-06-2008

now I need to follow up this...I love Pandas

19-06-2008

i read somewhere, maybe on here actually, that the pandas are moving into the asiatic lion enclosure, which is large but would need alot of work doing on it to make it suitable for pandas, and also to allow better viewing for visitors. At the moment there is viewing window and a viewing platform up high, both of which are obstructed by trees to a certain extent. I was there last week and no work has been started renovating any enclosures other than the sea lions (unless the pandas are going to be housed in a brand new enclosure) and there is no mention of the pandas coming to the zoo at all

19-06-2008

mjmorg89: from some sites that I have read, they seem to be arriving in autumn 2009, so if that is true, there is quite a bit of time to prepare an exhibit.

19-06-2008

Yes prepare one but there is definitely not enought time to build a new purpose built enclosure.

Like it was mentioned before regarding the modification of the Lion enclosure, that will be done when the Lion are moved to the tiger enclosure.

Does anyone know whether the tigers have been moved to HWP yet?

19-06-2008

I read that they are supposed to be coming in april 2009 and it also said maybe even earlier after the accident at the reserve in china. I would have expected some work to have been started, or at least some signs saying pandas arriving 2009 or some other kind of marketing. No the tigers are still there, well at least one of them is anyway (that's all i saw) and the lions are still in their enclosure. Personally i don't think the tiger enclosure is big enough for 4 lions and it would also need modifying before they could move in. Either the panda and new lion(tiger) enclosures will be rushed and not that great, or the pandas are coming a lot later than stated.