Italker Meets Tian Tian At Edinburgh Zoo
There has been a lot of discussion recently about the Pandas going to live at Edinburgh Zoo. I know some folk feel Zoos should be closed down while others feel that the so called "Diplomacy Pandas" are anything but PC. The BBC just a few days ago had a group of feminists up in arms because they had included Tian Tian among the 12 women in its "Faces of 2011" list. Tian Tian was included alongside notable names including shot US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, singer Adele and Pauline Pearce - who was dubbed the heroine of Hackney after she was filmed standing up to rioters in north London. A BBC spokeswoman pointed out the Panda's inclusion was a "light-hearted addition".
Over lunch a few weeks ago I expressed an interest in going to the Zoo to see these amazing animals. You can imagine my delight when on Christmas morning I got a ticket for two to go on a Panda Safari. Today was the day. It was rainy and windy when we arrived at the Zoo. We were with an umbrella! And it was pouring down. Still my trusty companion. (SJ), and myself regardless of the rain braved the storm. Heads downs we battled against the elements. We passed the famous Penguins and arrived five minutes before our designated time for our appointment with the Pandas. Oh yes, you get given a time and you can't be late.
I must confess the whole thing was a bit of an anti-climax. I was expecting the Giant Pandas to look like yes Giants! Instead as i peered through the glass window "Sweetie" or Tian Tian, seemed quite small, but she was very cute. We were given barely 10 minutes in the Panda complex then ushered out and told we could go and view the open air enclosure. Now who in their right mind would want to do that on a windy stormy day? We went to the Monkey house instead. We had an amusing time reflecting on our so called ancestors. It wasn't long before we were back in the car trading for lunch.
So what did I think of the experience? Perhaps the Zoo could have made more of the opportunity, by telling us all a little about the life of Pandas. They could have gathered us together and shared the story of how these animals until recently were heading for extinction. They could have shared some interesting facts about Pandas. Above all from the perspective of someone like me who knows nothing about Zoos and pandas, I thought Sweetie looked a bit sad and forlorn. However that is a completely subjective thought. One thing I do feel is that the Zoo needs to reflect on how it is presenting the story of the pandas to the world. Admittedly today was a cold and stormy day and that in turn may have curtailed the programme a little. In the end I would say it was a bit of an anti-climax but you know what the company was good even if the Pandas didn't say much.
Posted By: italker On: 11 Jan 2012 At: 12:56am
Mmm! Fiona, Your making Sarah Jane and i jealous! We got very little for our visit, No talk, no , nothing about the animals. I read up a wee bit myself. But i actually thought a Giant PANDA would be a giant.
Like you we also felt a bit sad for the Pandas locked up in a cage. You’d think they’d at least offer them a car to get about in!