Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Pandas in Malaysia

Malaysia is in a sweet spot currently as China will loan two pandas to Malaysia as part of a collaboration between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Malaysian government. This is an honour as Malaysia joins the ranks of only a few countries that have received pandas.


Source: Wikipedia

A little about Panda Diplomacy from Wikipedia:
Loans of giant pandas to American and Japanese zoos formed an important part of the diplomacy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the 1970s, as it marked some of the first cultural exchanges between the People's Republic and the West. This practice has been termed "Panda diplomacy".

By 1984, however, pandas were no longer given as gifts. Instead, the PRC began to offer pandas to other nations only on 10-year loans, under terms including a fee of up to US$1,000,000 per year and a provision that any cubs born during the loan are the property of the PRC.


Not sure if there is a fee involved for the two pandas coming to Malaysia but one thing is for sure, Malaysians and people visiting Malaysia will get a chance to see pandas in person although it may be a challenge for the keepers in keeping the pandas comfortable in our hot and humid weather.

The pandas, to be on loan for 10 years, mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between both countries in 2014. Bilateral relations between Malaysia and China started during the tenure of late Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, who was the father of the current Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said that the presence of the pandas would promote public awareness on panda conservation undertaken by China. This will encourage the public to appreciate and learn the importance of biodiversity and wildlife conservation in Malaysia.

A nationwide contest to name the pandas would be held to spur interest among Malaysians to learn more about this unique animal.

The two pandas will be placed in a special exhibit in Taman Wetland, Putrajaya. There, now there's another reason to visit Putrajaya, the Federal Government Administrative Centre replacing Kuala Lumpur as the administrative capital.


Source: The Star..China to loan two pandas to Malaysia for 10 years


Update:
China news reports in April reported that Malaysia would spend a whopping RM20mil for the upkeep of the pandas.

The budget is expected to cover for the construction of an air-conditioned sanctuary for the pandas, importing bamboos from China for their meals as well to train local handlers for the animals. (Source:Giant Pandas for Malaysia)

10 comments:

  1. i knew this from Panda Foong from facebook this morning about these two panda to be sent to Malaysia for 10 years.. hmmm, i hope they will be able to survive in this weather..

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  2. Yet another reason why I love this part of the world: diplomatic ties are forged by pandas! :D

    What are your pandas' names? Ours (our = Ueno Zoo) are Ri Ri and Shin Shin. ^^

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  3. SK, I thought the National Zoo would be a better place to house them but I'm sure the authorities know best. Looking forward to them. :)

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  4. Rurousha, pandas rock! LOL

    Any suggestion(s) for names? There's going to be a nationwide naming contest for this pair of panda-guests. Bet it'll be something quite Malaysianized as opposed to Chinese. I may be wrong but we shall see.

    Ri Ri and Shin Shin are cute names. Do they have a meaning?

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  5. SK,
    Trust foong to update us about the panda! LOL

    Yeah, I hope the pandas can survive our weather (and maintenance). xD

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  6. It is interesting how pandas are seen as so special. I wonder what it is that appeals so much to people about them? (I mean, I like them myself, but no more than giraffes or zebras) or other multi coloured creatures.

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  7. is that Panda came from China? does he know kung-fu? wkwkwkwk

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  8. Lina, I thought the same too but I guess we have nothing to worry about because there will be air-conditioning for the pandas. Nice. I am looking forward to new-born panda babies.

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  9. Hi Jenny, thank you for stopping by.

    Your comment made me smile. I guess the answer lies in them being cuddly thus cute? No?

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  10. Lawrence, yeah, all pandas come from China. I don't think they train them in kungfu before they send them overseas. LOL!

    I believe Kungfu Panda learned it himself. :p

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