Gothamist: Pandas: The Most Expensive Animals in the World

Jen

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 08:42:40 -0500

When I visited the San Diego Zoo and spoke to a zookeeper, I was really impressed with their bamboo-wrangling efforts. They really do search high and low for bamboo for the pandas. And they are constantly monitoring them. Also, the U.S. exhibit spaces for pandas are really beautiful and impressive - with tons of stimulation for pandas. The old panda exhibit in Hong Kong looks shoddy in comparison. I don't know if this would be within in the bounds of what zoos can do, but maybe they could raise more money if they had more panda-related events. Not necessarily trotting out the pandas all the time, but maybe panda sleepover parties.

Pandaist

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 07:41:37 -0500

A good chunk of the panda fees zoos pay China go into conservation efforts to keep wild panda populations protected and viable in China. And they're actually making progress on that score, judging from some recent reports. Seems like a pretty good application of market economics to wildlife preservation -- all thought up by communist China. This is why the U.S. will be a cut-rate economic backwater in 75 years.

Max.

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 01:50:51 -0500

On the sports count, at least sports stars run around with balls for $6m a season. Pandas just sit around and eat for $2m a year.

Max.

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 01:36:17 -0500

On the sports count, at least sports stars do something. Pandas just sit around and eat for $2m a year.

rev pays

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:44:47 -0500

I really wanna see the books on this one. You mean with all the panda souvenirs, they can't at least break even? I know in China, you can take a picture of yourself with a baby panda on your lap for 40USD. And, I've heard, it's the best 40usd you'll ever spend being that close to a baby panda. And, How much we pay our sport's atheletes, again???

Jen

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:39:06 -0500

Well, most pandas are found in China. If the Chinese thought that bald eagles would be zoo attraction, I'm sure they'd just create some in factories.

JESUS CHRIST

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:37:37 -0500

what? we rent pandas? what is this world coming too? So we can't breed our own pandas or some shit? If we have our own pandas does China automatically claim it just because they are pandas? Shit we should rent out some American Eagles to their asses for a billion dollars each.