Comments on: Panda-monium!

By: conservationalist

conservationalist — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:24:15 +0000

No wonder a species can't be saved. . For Tai's sake, can't you all just get over yourselves and come together for the common good of this glorious animal and their natural habitat which is in danger of pushing them further to the brink? I've been at the National Zoo many times, trying to catch a glimpse and a decent picture of these beautiful creatures and like many visitors, have to elbow my way through those who think they are entitled. Why don't you give up the attitude, stop worrying about the "friendship groups" and who may be in your midst at the zoo,and put that energy into something more worthwhile like, gee, I don't know, helping save an endangered specie!

By: Frannie

Frannie — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:09:33 +0000

Whilst some say that it's all about the pandas, it is obvious that some are in major panda overload. It's time to say pu to the non-believers, relax, doodlebug if you need to, flop into your friendship group of choice and raise a margarita to Private tai and his family. Share a daily bear hug!

By: Janet-2

Janet-2 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:57:43 +0000

Not Now, I can absolutely assure you that many people who have contributed to the enrichment of pandas in America's Zoos, for the replacement of trees in the panda yard for example, have also contributed to the needs of the Wolong Panda Reserve through Pandas International and through the National Zoo's Wolong Relief Fund. Their generosity towards the welfare of this endangered species knows no bounds and they have dug very deep in their pockets. The earthquake has illustrated that the species is under considerable threat even in its own homeland which is surely all the more reason to ensure that it is well looked after in foreign zoos. Had the Wolong population been wiped out by the earthquake there would be a very strong case for being thankful for that.

By: creative pandameat

creative pandameat — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:48:44 +0000

When I saw comments from actual pandas, I didnt think it could get any wackier. Until I noticed someone use "ursine" in a sentence. Which by the way, is actually a word, or so i didnt know!

Congratulations Ms Ruth Samuelson. I hope you are pleased!

By: Sandra Parshall

Sandra Parshall — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:33:36 +0000

Many of the people who are donating money to help Wolong recover are doing so because Tai Shan and his parents taught them to care about the fate of all pandas. Tai has been a wonderful ambassador for his species. He deserves to have his birthday celebrated.

By: Grasshopper

Grasshopper — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:10:26 +0000

Ruth Samuelson, what an attention craving woman you are.Bless your little heart. I hope you delight in all the responses you are getting. And perhaps in the future you might remember that the panda is an endangered species, even more so after the recent earth quake in its habitat. Where weak is concerned you need to do a bit more research, there is no doubt about the ursine ability of the panda. Any reporter worth his or her salt knows to do research.Your editors should know.

By: PO, Da KF(C) Panda

PO, Da KF(C) Panda — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:10:24 +0000

Not Now: Yes, now! I adopted 2 pandas c/o Pandas Int'l to help the Wolong Fund. And I donated to the Red Cross, the National Zoo and San Diego Zoo quake relief funds. And I donated to Tai's Enrichment/Birthday Fund that helps other animals at the National Zoo too. What have YOU done for endangered animals and the starving in China? As the Master said to Po: "Don't wash your 'pits in the Pool of Sacred Tears."

By: Wilma Murrow

Wilma Murrow — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:16:17 +0000

I was there! The day (actually early morning before daybreak)Tia Shan was born. I watched the entire birthing process on the zoo's web cam. It was obvious to me that Mei was in labor as she paced, huffed and puffed.I became alarmed when no one else seemed to notice. After a sleepless night (me) I watched in fascination and fear as the wee one slipped from his Mother's body and landed on the floor with a squeal. He squealed - she jumped. Everyone was surprised and happy and in love with a baby panda. Signed, Tia's Grandmother

By: BlairBurton

BlairBurton — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:02:40 +0000

"As for the giant pandas… it’s a shame when you see over $10,000 donated to “enrich” the American zoo pandas (not to mention money raised to celebrate Tai Shan’s birthdays), when the Wolong reserve in China so desperately needs funding right now for milk, medical supplies, and getting bamboo in to the pandas who need it."

Perhaps you're not aware that many of the same
contributors have donated over $47,000 to the NZ's
fund dedicated to helping the Wolong Panda Reserve.

So if they want to donate to Tai's birthday
fund as well, I think they are entitled.

By: Not Now

Not Now — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:37:41 +0000

People, get a grip. This is an editorial blog, not a news article; it's all about opinion and not "reporting". Janet, the last paragraph was a quote from a commenter of a Washington Post article, if you had read correctly. As for the giant pandas... it's a shame when you see over $10,000 donated to "enrich" the American zoo pandas (not to mention money raised to celebrate Tai Shan's birthdays), when the Wolong reserve in China so desperately needs funding right now for milk, medical supplies, and getting bamboo in to the pandas who need it.

By: Da WEEL Tai Shan

Da WEEL Tai Shan — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:30:00 +0000

I wuv you too MEEEwuvvew!

By: Tailover

Tailover — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:43:23 +0000

Da WEEL Tai Shan, I know that you are the weel Tai. I promise to love the new cubbie, but you have a special place in my heart and, even though I do love your mommy and daddy I love you more! Hab a gwate Tunday! I wuv you!

By: Da WEEL Tai Shan

Da WEEL Tai Shan — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:31:47 +0000

Hi eveybody! I am da weel Tai Shan, you can ask anybody, and day wiww teww you dat I am da weel one. My Unka Bobby taught me how to type. I hab a big keybowd, cuz my paws awe too big fow da weguwar keybowd. Anyway, I want to teww eveybody dat I know my mommy is pwegnant. Der wiww be anuddew cubbie pwaying in da yawds vewwy toon. You hab to pwomise dat you wiww aww wuv da new cubbie juss as much as you wuv me, my mommy, and my daddy! Hab a gwate Tunday! I wuv you guys!

~Tai~

By: Panda Boy

Panda Boy — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:45:31 +0000

Deaw Miz Tamuleton: My kid sis, Li'l Auntee, is vewy uptet! I towd her, who knows, maybe you'w nice pewson who gives to da Saveshon Awmy and dat you just doesn't like us pawndas, even stuffies and cewtainwy not da ones like couzin Tai in DC, Wani in Atwanta, Zoomy in San Diego and Fu Long in Vienna. But I know you wiww wefowm once you tee da beauty of pawndas! Yay fow da Bwack & White!

See what you have stawted on dis nice Tunday?!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/pandasunlimited/discuss/72157603602122035/page20/#comment72157605753308351

By: Janet-2

Janet-2 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:20:13 +0000

On the basis of your thinking Bill Gates must be pathetic because he exists on a low nutritional diet of hamburgers.

On the basis of your thinking only the strong human animal must be celebrated and the weak must be left to die out. (Oh, so that's why the poor were neglected for so long after Katrina hit and still are)

On the basis of your thinking the human animal arrogantly thinks itself superior to other species of animal. Wrong! The human animal rushes onto management courses to learn strategic thinking skills over several days and still doesn't get it. The Giant Panda cub Tai Shan just gets on and does it naturally. I've seen him do it.

If you wish to be a good reporter then you're gonna have to stand on your head and see the world from a different perspective. You can start with the fact that the Giant Panda was on this planet earth long before us and it is we who have spoilt it for them.

You're still an internee if you haven't yet learnt the lesson of a new angle on an old story.