Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Lee, Federal Way, WA on October 30, 2007:

We have red pandas at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle...but I must admit your photo is much clearer than any view I've had of one; they're always up in the trees, a patch of red here or a beady black eye there.

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Yeah, they tend to be pretty shy. We watched some keepers go into one area to drop off some food. Even with the promise of yummies, they wouldn't get within 50 feet of the humans. -rc

Posted by Rio Iriri - Albany, NY on November 1, 2007:

The genetic testing is recent, and thankfully it has settled this question, as I was getting sick of the debate (I studied zoology and wildlife along with my aquatic biology degree).

I can't believe you didn't know about red pandas before. They are the cutest things ever. This is one of my favorite videos of all time: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6Wopd0vqcxQ

:)

Posted by Shylah, Central California on November 3, 2007:

In response to how shy they are generally, I just had to point out that there seem to be a couple of hams in this video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=aGWvzVxTHRE

How cute! I'm quite jealous of your whole China trip, but this part in particular makes me wish I could have been there.

Posted by Gail, California on November 6, 2007:

One more interesting fact for the Panda file. When the Chinese government loans Pandas to zoos around the world, the loanees agreed to send any Pandas born outside of China back when they have matured.

The San Diego Zoo on Monday 11/5 packed up Mei Sheng (whose name means "Born in the USA") to head back to the Wolong Nature Reserve.

(News report)