Pandas are the most adorable creatures in this planet. At least, that is my opinion. I have always been a huge panda fan because they just seem like happy and easy going animals. It has always been my dream to actually see a panda in person. Unfortunately, there are no zoos in Texas that feature pandas. In the summer of 2013, my dream of meeting this amazing creature finally came true.
Summer 2013, was an adventure. I had to travel to Washington D.C. to sing with my choir. In D.C., you never run out of things to do. There are monuments, and parks, and museums everywhere! It is truly a beautiful and historical city. While there, I also found out that the Smithsonian National Zoo had two beautiful pandas. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian were their names. They are part of a breeding program to help save the panda species. At the time, Mei Xiang was with child. She was under extreme care because it is rare for pandas to bear children. We were only allowed to see Tian Tian because they were trying to protect the female panda, and her child.
Tian Tian was absolutely adorable. He seemed like a cuddly bear just laying around, while eating bamboo sticks. It was just cute and awesome to see how he would roll around the grass like a little child. He was literally spoiled! He had all the space in world, and he had all the food in the world too. He was like a superstar as people took hundreds and hundreds of pictures. He was loved by the people, and cared for by his personal doctors and staff.
Though it seems like pandas have an easy life, the wild paints a very different picture for them. Pandas are originally from the temperate forests of China. They are considered to be omnivorous, but their diet mostly consist of eating bamboo shoots. Their numbers in the wild use to be in the thousands. Today, scientist believe that about 1600 remain. Pandas rarely give birth to cubs. On average, wild pandas only give birth to about six cubs in their lifetime. Sadly, being born does not guarantee survival. These animals are considered to be endangered. What is the main reason for there dwindling population? We are the main reason. Human beings have greatly endangered their population. Our actions such as poaching of panda fur and habitat loss due to foresting are major threats that pandas constantly face in the wild. Even though they are endangered, hunters continue to hunt them. It is truly a hard battle for the remainder of their existence.
There are several ways to help these beautiful creatures. One is to donate to organizations that help conserve pandas. Another way to help the pandas is to raise awareness to people. It is important to know that pandas are important to our survival. Nature is connected in many ways. If a species goes extinct, it throws of the balance of nature. The battle for their survival will not be easy. But if everyone helps, nothing is impossible.
Sites to Donate and Raise Awareness
"Donate to WWF." WWF. Web. 20 May 2014.
"YES! I Want to save Lives and Join IFAW as a Champion for Animals Today!"Home. Web. 20 May 2014.
"BLACK & WHITE." Pandas International. Web. 20 May 2014.
Summer 2013, was an adventure. I had to travel to Washington D.C. to sing with my choir. In D.C., you never run out of things to do. There are monuments, and parks, and museums everywhere! It is truly a beautiful and historical city. While there, I also found out that the Smithsonian National Zoo had two beautiful pandas. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian were their names. They are part of a breeding program to help save the panda species. At the time, Mei Xiang was with child. She was under extreme care because it is rare for pandas to bear children. We were only allowed to see Tian Tian because they were trying to protect the female panda, and her child.
Tian Tian was absolutely adorable. He seemed like a cuddly bear just laying around, while eating bamboo sticks. It was just cute and awesome to see how he would roll around the grass like a little child. He was literally spoiled! He had all the space in world, and he had all the food in the world too. He was like a superstar as people took hundreds and hundreds of pictures. He was loved by the people, and cared for by his personal doctors and staff.
Though it seems like pandas have an easy life, the wild paints a very different picture for them. Pandas are originally from the temperate forests of China. They are considered to be omnivorous, but their diet mostly consist of eating bamboo shoots. Their numbers in the wild use to be in the thousands. Today, scientist believe that about 1600 remain. Pandas rarely give birth to cubs. On average, wild pandas only give birth to about six cubs in their lifetime. Sadly, being born does not guarantee survival. These animals are considered to be endangered. What is the main reason for there dwindling population? We are the main reason. Human beings have greatly endangered their population. Our actions such as poaching of panda fur and habitat loss due to foresting are major threats that pandas constantly face in the wild. Even though they are endangered, hunters continue to hunt them. It is truly a hard battle for the remainder of their existence.
There are several ways to help these beautiful creatures. One is to donate to organizations that help conserve pandas. Another way to help the pandas is to raise awareness to people. It is important to know that pandas are important to our survival. Nature is connected in many ways. If a species goes extinct, it throws of the balance of nature. The battle for their survival will not be easy. But if everyone helps, nothing is impossible.
Sites to Donate and Raise Awareness
"Donate to WWF." WWF. Web. 20 May 2014.
"YES! I Want to save Lives and Join IFAW as a Champion for Animals Today!"Home. Web. 20 May 2014.
"BLACK & WHITE." Pandas International. Web. 20 May 2014.