Giant Pandas baby climbs a tree Lisa Maria Flurie© 2012

★★★★★Day 8 See Article The highlight of my China riverboat cruise was seeing the "Giant Panda Bears." I never have seen them before. Lisa Maria Flurie 2012 This is an Article that was published. THE GIANT PANDA BEARS OF CHONGQING ZOO, CHINA China's Pandas are well known the world over. They are adorable docile bears that live on bamboo shoots as the primary diet. The Chongqing Zoo has the largest collection of these bears in captivity and houses a successful breeding population which is shared with the world zoos. What isn't commonly known is that the bamboo that is preferred by the Pandas is a special two species and they spend most of their day chewing down large amounts. The bear sits on its hind quarters and holds the bamboo in its prehensile sixth digit while chewing with its massive jaw muscles designed for the tough bamboo fiber. The bears are kept in single compounds because they don't socialize well as adults. The panda lives to 20 years in the wild and 30 years in captivity. An endangered species the panda bear is now protected in preserves. Initially a favorite of the rulers of China, the panda is now an international ambassador for China. China charges one million dollars over ten years for a foreign zoo to possess a Giant Panda. The panda is the most expensive endangered species for zoos ahead of the elephant. The panda requires 30 pounds of bamboo a day and the species of bamboo is also specific and limited. The distinctive black and white coloring is thought to be camouflage in snowy and rocky territory in Sichuan province, it's primary territory. There is a red panda which is very distantly related. Because of it's diet the panda gets limited energy from the fibrous bamboo shoots. Thus it's territory is limited to flat ground or trees. The panda usually has a single cub every two years. There are several thousand bears in the wild and hopefully expanding under it's endangered status. The Chongqing Zoo is a large natural setting for several endangered species breeding programs and large habitats for many animal groups. On a workday the attendance of Chinese families was extensive. Chongqing is a stop on the Viking River Cruise between Shanghai and Beijing. All the cities of China are under extensive rebuilding, replacing 4 story buildings with 20 or more story apartment and condominium structures. From the air one can see nuclear power plants and elevated high-speed train construction. Every airport is modern and highly appointed with marble. The people seem happy to see foreign tourists and most speak English fluently. The tour guides are well informed and forthcoming with facts freely but harbor a historical memory of their recent past of the Cultural Revolution which upset their parents' lives and disrupted the family of the educated class with reeducation re-location to the countryside. The economy is booming but also is the building explosion in plateau. There is a worker class that infiltrates the cities from the countryside but can increasingly not afford the new living structures. This has resulted in rent control. What is outwardly obvious is a wealthy country. There are few bicycles and motor bikes and many new high-priced automobiles and accompanying congestion. In fact, bicycles and motor bikes are illegal in the larger cities where a few scofflaws are seen. Beijing is greening with many trees and small parks planted because of the Olympics. The best time to visit China is the last three weeks of October to avoid the monsoons and cold winter weather. The first week is their holiday season for them to take advantage of the great weather. Well worth the effort of long airplane ride from the US. by © Lisa Maria Flurie, Florida, USA "China Temple Morning" Music Purchased from Lynne Music (NeoSound.com) Royalty Free Music and Sound 6732179049059123