Panda’s and parks

I was up before the sunrise, headed to the Chengdu Giant Panda Research Center. One, to beat the crowds and two, to get there early while the pandas are their most active.

The Giant panda is China’s national animal. Actually, every panda in existence is owned by China. If you’re looking at a Panda in the zoo in DC, (or anywhere) it is on loan from China - and that zoo is paying a hefty fee to have it. In the 1970’s the “gifted” pandas to countries, but by the 1990’s decided they needed to maintain more control over them and began the “loaning or leasing” program.

There are 237 pandas at the center today (of the 700 China has in captivity) - no country in the world has more than 10, most only 1. Soon the US will have no pandas left on their soil when Atlanta returns the panda they had on loan.

With every park I walk thru I’m literally in awe. They are the most peaceful settings - I walked thru People’s park, and then Tianfu square.

What I miss: my kids
AudioBook finished: Nineteen minutes, Jodi Picoult

Steps: 18,175
Miles: 7.43Read more