Pandas

[Jack]

Anyone been yet?

Any tips you would like pass on to a prospective zoo visitor?

[Future17]

Anyone been yet?

Any tips you would like pass on to a prospective zoo visitor?

My tip is to wait. The male is currently unwell and, although recovering quickly, may not be back on public display for a couple of weeks.

[easty]

Dress up like a panda and pose for photos with visitors of the zoo. There will only be one panda on display anyway, so just tell everyone you're the other one, you had a bit of colic but you're feeling alright now.

[Speedy]

My tip is to wait. The male is currently unwell and, although recovering quickly, may not be back on public display for a couple of weeks.

This.

The female hasn't been as keen to come out as well so you might not see them at all.

Also, make sure you book a timeslot well in advance.

Edit: A non-panda tip but make an effort to see the otters, they tend to hide away alot but they are very entertaining when they are out.

[Dashing Bob S]

Dress up like a panda and pose for photos with visitors of the zoo. There will only be one panda on display anyway, so just tell everyone you're the other one, you had a bit of colic but you're feeling alright now.

I personally wouldn't panda to their ursine whims.

[hibsbollah]

This.

The female hasn't been as keen to come out as well so you might not see them at all.

Also, make sure you book a timeslot well in advance.

Edit: A non-panda tip but make an effort to see the otters, they tend to hide away alot but they are very entertaining when they are out.

You will be able to see both of them regardless. They both have an inside and an outside pen so even if the female is sitting inside you have an excellent view.

My tip would be get there first thing (9.30), book a panda viewing slot and if necessary go away and come back again later. We arrived at the zoo at 10 and had to wait until 3 for our panda viewing. If you are a member, which we now are, you can book online, which takes all the hassle out of it.

[Pete]

What's the big deal with these Pandas? They've been heavily advertised and the media coverage has been huge.

They must be dancing ones surely...otherwise they'd be a bit of a let down.

[hibsbollah]

What's the big deal with these Pandas? They've been heavily advertised and the media coverage has been huge.

They must be dancing ones surely...otherwise they'd be a bit of a let down.

My kids went mad for them. I think the secret is they have a 'cute factor' that most other animals don't. We'll be back there a lot this year.

[Beefster]

What's the big deal with these Pandas? They've been heavily advertised and the media coverage has been huge.

They must be dancing ones surely...otherwise they'd be a bit of a let down.

I'm with you. They're brown bears with some white on them.

[Gatecrasher]

i want to see them, though i havent been to the Zoo in years and i'm itching to go. I will probably wait until spring though

[Future17]

i want to see them, though i havent been to the Zoo in years and i'm itching to go. I will probably wait until spring though

:agree:

It's never warm up there, but it might be less cold.

[easty]

I'm with you. They're brown bears with some white on them.

What's colour got to do with it? They're all just bears in the end, shouldn't be treated any different because of the colour of the fur.

[Hibbyradge]

My kids went mad for them. I think the secret is they have a 'cute factor' that most other animals don't. We'll be back there a lot this year.

If you intend visiting regularly, become a Zoo member.

Regardless of the other benefits, it will save you a lot of money.

http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/support/membership/

[Scouse Hibee]

If you intend visiting regularly, become a Zoo member.

Regardless of the other benefits, it will save you a lot of money.

http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/support/membership/


He has done :wink:

[McHibby]

I came back to Edinburgh just before Christmas and went to see them. It left me feeling a bit sad to be honest. They are stunningly beautiful creatures, and it was pretty cool to see them, but their enclosures are quite small. It just seems such a gloomy existence - for all the animals that were there.

[Beefster]

What's colour got to do with it? They're all just bears in the end, shouldn't be treated any different because of the colour of the fur.

Aye but polar bears are the best.

[heretoday]

Apparently they are difficult creatures to work with and can turn nasty very quickly. Don't turn your back on them or you'll wind up like so much chewed bamboo.

[Future17]

I came back to Edinburgh just before Christmas and went to see them. It left me feeling a bit sad to be honest. They are stunningly beautiful creatures, and it was pretty cool to see them, but their enclosures are quite small. It just seems such a gloomy existence - for all the animals that were there.

Pandas in the wild (even when there were lots) do not travel far, although obviously they travel farther in the wild than the size of their enclosure at the Zoo, so I take your point.

I think pandas in the zoo are a much different scenario than tigers, lions, penguins etc in that regard.

Pandas are beautiful creatures as you say and the bottom line is that if they were not protected by humans, in zoos and reserves, they would most likely be extinct be now if they had been left to the course of nature.

There is an argument that creatures such as pandas, which need human intervention for survival, should be allowed to die out. I don't believe that.

[Dashing Bob S]

What's colour got to do with it? They're all just bears in the end, shouldn't be treated any different because of the colour of the fur.

I think we should get Steve from the Hearts supporters association to make a comment on behalf of brown, black and polar bears, as this is surely bordering on ursine racism.

As Hibsbollah said, kids go crazy over them, they really are the rock stars of the animal world. I reckon its the comical black eyes, and the round black ears, perched almost provocatively on those chunky domes...I'll stop and lie down now.

[hibsbollah]

He has done :wink:


Wow. I'm flattered. Someone actually reads my posts:party:

I'm a zoo member plus. I got the parking pass, I buy the oven baked pizzas from the cafeteria, I buy the panda themed merchandise. I encourage the pandas to copulate through the glass. Or even normally.

On a related point, any chance of a panda-related smiley?

[Bishop Hibee]

If you intend visiting regularly, become a Zoo member.

Regardless of the other benefits, it will save you a lot of money.

http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/support/membership/

£120 for me,wife and youngest :shocked:That's nearly a third of my ST! Mind you, can they trap a ball and pass to each other.....

I'll be right along in the Easter hols. People in Edinburgh tend to take the zoo for granted as it's on our doorstep. I was amazed how many families in north east England made day trips up to Edinburgh specifically to take their kids to the zoo.

[johnbc70]

Pandas are the closest living thing to big teddy bears, thats why the kids love them.

[NYHibby]

I have fond memories of going to see Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing at the Washington zoo as a kid. I would encourage you all to take your children to see the pandas.

[Dashing Bob S]

Pandas in the wild (even when there were lots) do not travel far, although obviously they travel farther in the wild than the size of their enclosure at the Zoo, so I take your point.

I think pandas in the zoo are a much different scenario than tigers, lions, penguins etc in that regard.

Pandas are beautiful creatures as you say and the bottom line is that if they were not protected by humans, in zoos and reserves, they would most likely be extinct be now if they had been left to the course of nature.

There is an argument that creatures such as pandas, which need human intervention for survival, should be allowed to die out. I don't believe that.

As its human intervention which is causing them to die out, the least we can do is try to redress the balance somewhat.

You could argue that the world we've poisoned and overpopulated means that all animals, outside of pigeons, rats and some insect species now need human intervention to survive.

[McHibby]

As its human intervention which is causing them to die out, the least we can do is try to redress the balance somewhat.

You could argue that the world we've poisoned and overpopulated means that all animals, outside of pigeons, rats and some insect species now need human intervention to survive.

Very good point DS. I am not anti-zoo or anything, I think they are doing their best for the animals and are genuine about conservation. But ultimately we are responsible for the plight of a hell of lot of animals that are in danger and really we need to look at what we do as a species that causes this (over-hunting, habitat destruction etc) and address that. It'll be much more helpful in the long run than a few breeding programmes.

Still, they are well worth a visit. I enjoyed seeing them and the other creatures - the penguin parade never fails to raise a smile :greengrin - it was just tempered with a feeling a sadness for them too.

[Pete]

I remember going there a while ago and seeing the poor tiger pacing up and down in front of the glass viewing screen. I don't know much about tiger behavior but it looked like it had had enough, succumbed and went mad.

Zoos are a great day out but there's part of me that thinks that they are outdated, cruel and downright patronising...towards the animals.
If we really cared about them we wouldn't have to artificially house them in cramped conditions that are conveniently located for our viewing pleasure.
It just seems like a half-arsed attempt to intervene after the event...while the source of the problem is still there. I wish we could just choose one of two directions...that animals are insignificant in general or all out efforts at conservation.

If the former were chosen then it would be sad but wouldn't really affect a lot of people. I'd have to include myself in that category because while it might be unfortunate that there are no more pandas, tigers or whatever left in the world....how will it really impact on my life?

[Future17]

As its human intervention which is causing them to die out, the least we can do is try to redress the balance somewhat.

You could argue that the world we've poisoned and overpopulated means that all animals, outside of pigeons, rats and some insect species now need human intervention to survive.

:agree:

That was (kind of) part of my point. But there's an argument that the "human intervention" which has destroyed their habitat in large areas, is also part of nature - whether we like it or not.


I remember going there a while ago and seeing the poor tiger pacing up and down in front of the glass viewing screen. I don't know much about tiger behavior but it looked like it had had enough, succumbed and went mad.

Zoos are a great day out but there's part of me that thinks that they are outdated, cruel and downright patronising...towards the animals.
If we really cared about them we wouldn't have to artificially house them in cramped conditions that are conveniently located for our viewing pleasure.
It just seems like a half-arsed attempt to intervene after the event...while the source of the problem is still there. I wish we could just choose one of two directions...that animals are insignificant in general or all out efforts at conservation.

If the former were chosen then it would be sad but wouldn't really affect a lot of people. I'd have to include myself in that category because while it might be unfortunate that there are no more pandas, tigers or whatever left in the world....how will it really impact on my life?

I think the ideal situation would be large, fully-protected wildlife conservation areas where endangered animals were, as far as is practically possible, left alone. However, that is unlikely to ever happen due to the nature (pardon the pun) of the human species.

I can understand why people might think that animals dying out wouldn't affect their life, but the truth is it would. Animals are more important to the eco-system that supports human life than humans are. If there were no animals, eventually there would be no planet (albeit it would take a lot of time for that to happen).

I think one of the most important and often overlooked benefits of the conservation of animals is how much we can learn from them. In areas like ecology, evolution (genetics), medicine, love, sex, family, physics and many many more, our observation of animals has enhanced our knowledge and understanding in a way that simply would not have been possible without them.

Also, as an addition to the point above, anyone who have ever tried to engage a child in any form of learning, in any capacity (parent, teacher etc.) will know the advantages of being able to show animals to kids. Whether they are charmed by the cuteness of a panda, intrigued by the way a snake moves, or even repulsed by a big spider, they can be fascinated and they'll want to know more. Not often the case with other subject matter! :greengrin

[lapsedhibee]

while it might be unfortunate that there are no more pandas, tigers or whatever left in the world....how will it really impact on my life?

Correct. The idea that the loss of even one species is some sort of cosmic tragedy is just tree-hugging bull. What did dodos ever contribute to the world of art, science, literature, music, business, sport, etc? (Well business and sport, perhaps, if there were organised shoots in those days, but that's about it.)

[Dashing Bob S]

Correct. The idea that the loss of even one species is some sort of cosmic tragedy is just tree-hugging bull. What did dodos ever contribute to the world of art, science, literature, music, business, sport, etc? (Well business and sport, perhaps, if there were organised shoots in those days, but that's about it.)

You could extrapolate further and say that what would the loss of a significant number of the human species have to do with your life? The brutal answer is not much. This will happen due to our behaviour- once we've taken out the animals we'll take out each other.

[Future17]

You could extrapolate further and say that what would the loss of a significant number of the human species have to do with your life? The brutal answer is not much. This will happen due to our behaviour- once we've taken out the animals we'll take out each other.

We already do. But some people might believe that the idea that the loss of the human species would be some sort of tragedy is just tree-hugging bull.

[Dashing Bob S]

We already do. But some people might believe that the idea that the loss of the human species would be some sort of tragedy is just tree-hugging bull.

Of course. We might be convinced of our own desirable qualities and this deserving of our survival as a species, but our continuing rape of the planet suggests this is naive conceit and that we are bound for extinction.

I feel fortunate that I was born when I was and my lifespan will be within a place and period where it probably get too messy. As they say in Coronation Street 'it's them little kiddies I feel sorry for.' But they'd probably only grow into us and behave the same way we do.

Now a lot of them possibly ain't gonna grow at all.

[Pretty Boy]

Correct. The idea that the loss of even one species is some sort of cosmic tragedy is just tree-hugging bull. What did dodos ever contribute to the world of art, science, literature, music, business, sport, etc? (Well business and sport, perhaps, if there were organised shoots in those days, but that's about it.)

What a pretty shallow and sad view of the world to hold.

[heretoday]

Anyone been yet?

Any tips you would like pass on to a prospective zoo visitor?

Pandas are actually carnivores who caught the veggie bug at some point in the past.

So bring them some Greggs product as a treat.

[lapsedhibee]

What a pretty shallow and sad view of the world to hold.

Don't be shy then - why don't you explain what calamity resulted from the extinction of the dodo? Or if you don't like that example, choose another extinct species and explain what calamity resulted from its demise. I'm all ears.

[Dashing Bob S]

Don't be shy then - why don't you explain what calamity resulted from the extinction of the dodo? Or if you don't like that example, choose another extinct species and explain what calamity resulted from its demise. I'm all ears.

What calamity, by extension, would result from the demise of any species, including the human race?

[Pete]

What calamity, by extension, would result from the demise of any species, including the human race?

Speaking as a human being I am programmed to enhance our species's chance of survival and the demise of it would be the ultimate fail. Therefore it would be the ultimate calamity.

I don't think the actual planet cares either way. It's all carbon and lava which sound pretty heartless.

[lapsedhibee]

What calamity, by extension, would result from the demise of any species, including the human race?

None.

Extinction of the dodo is a calamity for dodos, not for humans or the planet.

Extinction of the human is a calamity for humans, not for the planet or for other species (except, obviously, human parasites etc).

Plenty of other cuddly furry animals to get emotionally attached to if panders were to become extinct. Ask Attenboro and the Stunning Photography Unit of the Beeb to do a 40-minute documentary on baby lemurs and it would be as if panders and the current media hype about them had never happened.

[Dashing Bob S]

None.

Extinction of the dodo is a calamity for dodos, not for humans or the planet.

Extinction of the human is a calamity for humans, not for the planet or for other species (except, obviously, human parasites etc).

Plenty of other cuddly furry animals to get emotionally attached to if panders were to become extinct. Ask Attenboro and the Stunning Photography Unit of the Beeb to do a 40-minute documentary on baby lemurs and it would be as if panders and the current media hype about them had never happened.

So it's all pretty pointless then.

Should I bother to renew next season?

[lapsedhibee]

So it's all pretty pointless then.

No, doesn't follow that just because we're dispensible there's no point in living life to the max. Just saying that panders are no more necessary than Third Lanark and Gretna were and the yams are. The league goes on without Thirds and Gretna and will fare just fine without yams in it, innit.


Should I bother to renew next season?
Depends whether we sign a furry creature, preferably small, to whom you can nail your emotional colours. At the moment we have no-one fitting that bill. Lewis is small and I suppose sufficiently cuddly, but nowhere near hairy enough. The nearest we could currently get to the Corstorphine ideal with current staff would probably be for one of the players to turn up for work after an evening 'relaxing' in George St sporting a panderesque keeker. Not really good enough though. Petrie! :grr:

[Future17]

Don't be shy then - why don't you explain what calamity resulted from the extinction of the dodo? Or if you don't like that example, choose another extinct species and explain what calamity resulted from its demise. I'm all ears.

What if dodo DNA cured cancer?

[lapsedhibee]

What if dodo DNA cured cancer?

Is that an argument, though - preserve everything that ever existed in case it might turn out to provide a cure for cancer?

Maybe gingers' DNA will cure cancer. What then, cryogenicise gingers instead of cremating them? Maybe it will be dwarves'. What then, stop all dwarf-throwing competitions in case it adversely affects their ability to reproduce? What sort of world would that be?

[RyeSloan]

Is that an argument, though - preserve everything that ever existed in case it might turn out to provide a cure for cancer?

Maybe gingers' DNA will cure cancer. What then, cryogenicise gingers instead of cremating them? Maybe it will be dwarves'. What then, stop all dwarf-throwing competitions in case it adversely affects their ability to reproduce? What sort of world would that be?

It's called an eco system..a sytem that relies on a huge number of interrelated connections...nature can and does make species extinct however man's intervention has substantially increased the speed of this extinction and therefore has the potential to unbalance a system that is still well beyond man's full comprehension.

To suggest none of it matters when we rely so much on nature to feed and survive is surely naive in the extreme.

One question what would happen if bees were to die out tomorrow due to man's actions?

[lapsedhibee]

It's called an eco system..a sytem that relies on a huge number of interrelated connections...nature can and does make species extinct however man's intervention has substantially increased the speed of this extinction and therefore has the potential to unbalance a system that is still well beyond man's full comprehension.

To suggest none of it matters when we rely so much on nature to feed and survive is surely naive in the extreme.

One question what would happen if bees were to die out tomorrow due to man's actions?

If it's well beyond people's comprehension why are there so many confidently insisting that this or that species is terribly important - for example, bees? How are bees going to die out "tomorrow", exactly? An angry God will strike them all down for not attending midweek mass?

If the Hi-bees were to die out tomorrow, that would of course be another matter. I don't see it though - look how long it's taking the yams to disappear, and they've been hell-bent on self-destruction for about the last seven years.

[easty]

It's called an eco system..a sytem that relies on a huge number of interrelated connections...nature can and does make species extinct however man's intervention has substantially increased the speed of this extinction and therefore has the potential to unbalance a system that is still well beyond man's full comprehension.

To suggest none of it matters when we rely so much on nature to feed and survive is surely naive in the extreme.

One question what would happen if bees were to die out tomorrow due to man's actions?

Someone been reading the Metro, and clueing up on bees?

[One Day Soon]

I'm with you. They're brown bears with some white on them.

Ah, come on. That's harsh.

[One Day Soon]

It's called an eco system..a sytem that relies on a huge number of interrelated connections...nature can and does make species extinct however man's intervention has substantially increased the speed of this extinction and therefore has the potential to unbalance a system that is still well beyond man's full comprehension.

To suggest none of it matters when we rely so much on nature to feed and survive is surely naive in the extreme.

One question what would happen if bees were to die out tomorrow due to man's actions?


Bees, as it happens, are among my favourite creatures. They are up just about first thing in the morning and still going last thing in the evening. In between they work hard all day. They make honey, they help the flowers to - well - flower and they give that great zzzzzzz sound on a warm, drowsy summer's day. C'mon the bees.

Do they have bees at the zoo?

[Jack]

Anyone know if the pandas are out to play this week?

[RyeSloan]

If it's well beyond people's comprehension why are there so many confidently insisting that this or that species is terribly important - for example, bees? How are bees going to die out "tomorrow", exactly? An angry God will strike them all down for not attending midweek mass?

If the Hi-bees were to die out tomorrow, that would of course be another matter. I don't see it though - look how long it's taking the yams to disappear, and they've been hell-bent on self-destruction for about the last seven years.

:greengrin :greengrin

There was Hi-bees

Now there are Lo-bees

Soon there might be No-bees

[One Day Soon]

:greengrin :greengrin

There was Hi-bees

Now there are Lo-bees

Soon there might be No-bees


That can't be right. There will always be CBeebies surely?

[Future17]

Anyone know if the pandas are out to play this week?

Male still unwell.

[Dashing Bob S]

No, doesn't follow that just because we're dispensible there's no point in living life to the max. Just saying that panders are no more necessary than Third Lanark and Gretna were and the yams are. The league goes on without Thirds and Gretna and will fare just fine without yams in it, innit.


Depends whether we sign a furry creature, preferably small, to whom you can nail your emotional colours. At the moment we have no-one fitting that bill. Lewis is small and I suppose sufficiently cuddly, but nowhere near hairy enough. The nearest we could currently get to the Corstorphine ideal with current staff would probably be for one of the players to turn up for work after an evening 'relaxing' in George St sporting a panderesque keeker. Not really good enough though. Petrie! :grr:

Okay, I'll renew, but only if we can get couple of lemurs in the midfield. Great peripheral vision and awareness of others, but have been know to hide when things get rough. Perhaps we need a couple of grizzly bear enforcers in there too.

[lapsedhibee]

Okay, I'll renew, but only if we can get couple of lemurs in the midfield.

If yer good enough yer old enough, but lemurs (http://www.thelemurs.co.uk/about.html) are no more than 14!

Though probably harder than some of our midfield this season.

[--------]

I'm with you. They're brown bears with some white on them.


Okay, I'll renew, but only if we can get couple of lemurs in the midfield. Great peripheral vision and awareness of others, but have been know to hide when things get rough. Perhaps we need a couple of grizzly bear enforcers in there too.


Actually, the grizzly (ursus arctos horribilis) is one of the smaller members of the family, Bob. Probably well suited to a role as midfield enforcer, then.

I would also suggest a couple of Kodiak Brown bears (ursus arctos middendorfi) in the centre defence - 10 feet tall and weighing in at about 1400 pounds - and a polar bear (ursus maritimus maritimus) in goal. Basically, so long as he sat still in the middle of the goal, there's no way the ball would get past him.

Bears don't eat human beings very often - they tend to disembowel them and throw them away when they get grumpy - maybe pull an arm or a leg or two off first - so I'd say they would fit in quite nicely to the SPL.

You know, you may just have solved our long-standing problems in defence - recruit a few bears and treach ;em to play football.

(Bears DO eat yams, however. But that would be a good thing, wouldn't it?)


:greengrin

[Greentinted]

As its human intervention which is causing them to die out, the least we can do is try to redress the balance somewhat.

You could argue that the world we've poisoned and overpopulated means that all animals, outside of pigeons, rats and some insect species now need human intervention to survive.


I'm no expert, far from it but I recall a TV documentary based on the hypothesis of mankind being wiped out in one cataclysmic swoop. It proposed that most species would survive and flourish with the exception of (urban dwelling) mice, rats and foxes who apparently have come to rely upon the wasteful nature of mankind to sustain themselves.

Could be rubbish, either way none of us will ever really know I suppose.

[Eyrie]

Life on Earth has survived greater extinction events than the damage being done by humans, so there is always hope. That doesn't let us off the hook given that we could reduce our impact if we had the will.

[Betty Boop]

Male still unwell.

Both pandas are now ill, the female has also been taken out of public display.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-16776561

[heretoday]

It would be awful if the pandas died in Edinburgh Zoo of complications following a diet of deep fried bamboo shoots.

I bet an anxious Alex Salmond is monitoring their progress closely.

[lapsedhibee]

It would be awful if the pandas died in Edinburgh Zoo of complications following a diet of deep fried bamboo shoots.

I bet an anxious Alex Salmond is monitoring their progress closely.

I am praying for their recovery. I hope they will both get well and eventually marry in Scotland, so we'll all get a day off work.

[easty]

http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/public-offered-chance-to-hand-feed-edinburgh-s-pandas-1-2483029

Should Rod incorporate a similar theme at East Mains? For a tenner you get to go feed wee Lewis his yoghurt while he's out injured?

[--------]

Both pandas are now ill, the female has also been taken out of public display.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-16776561


"Tthe welfare of our giant pandas has to be a priority ..."

Aye, right.



FREE THE CORSTORPHINE TWO!
:soapbox:

[Fantic]

Bees, as it happens, are among my favourite creatures. They are up just about first thing in the morning and still going last thing in the evening. In between they work hard all day. They make honey, they help the flowers to - well - flower and they give that great zzzzzzz sound on a warm, drowsy summer's day. C'mon the bees.

Do they have bees at the zoo?

Don't know but the pet shop on Junction Street did have 2 in the window. Someone must have bought them.

boom boom.