ID :
124592
Thu, 05/27/2010 - 18:20
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/124592
The shortlink copeid
Thai-born panda Linping celebrates her first birthday
CHIANG MAI, May 27 (TNA) – The first panda born in Thailand, Linping, celebrated her first birthday on Wednesday.
The day was celebrated with about a hundred fans at Chiang Mai Zoo, where her presence has brought more than Bt20 million (US$600,000) to the northern Thai zoo.
Linping’s birth, and the story of her development until now, is a highlight of the celebrations, which are being held at Chiang Mai Zoo until May 30. A 95-pound birthday cake was created to mark the occasion.
Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) director Sophon Damnui said Linping, who has grown to toddlerhood under the loving care of the Chiang Mai zookeepers, now weighs a healthy 36 kilogrammes. This is average weight for panda cubs of the same age.
Linping is now beginning to eat fruit, bamboo and bamboo shoots, as well as drinking her mother’s milk.
Her climbing skills have considerably improved, said Mr Sophon.
Popular panda Lin Hui greatly surprised her keepers and the public on May 27 last year, when she gave birth to Linping. Despite attempts at artificial insemination, her pregnancy had not been confirmed.
Ever since, the baby panda has become a hugely popular attraction at the zoo. People have flocked into Chiang Mai Zoo to admire the cute cub. Her life with Lin Hui has been broadcast live on the Panda Channel reality-TV show, where her antics have been shown around the clock.
Her name was selected from millions sent in on postcards to the zoo. “Lin” comes from the first syllable of her mom’s name, while “Ping” is the name of the main river of Chiang Mai. With the presence of Linping, said Mr Sophon, Chiang Mai Zoo has enjoyed the highest income since it opened. A net income of Bt20 million was earned in 2009.
Mr Sophon added that the number of zoo visitors had increased by 60 per cent. He also shared the good news that that Linping may be allowed to stay in Thailand for some additional time before moving on to her ancestral home in China.
Thailand was able to house Lin Hui and her male companion Chuang Chuang in a deal reached with China six years ago. The pair are seen as ambassadors of friendship between the two countries.
Thailand must return the popular pandas to China in 2013. The Thai government is seeking an extension of Linping’s stay here, as under the agreement made by both countries, any panda cub born in the kingdom must be returned to China within two years. (TNA)
The day was celebrated with about a hundred fans at Chiang Mai Zoo, where her presence has brought more than Bt20 million (US$600,000) to the northern Thai zoo.
Linping’s birth, and the story of her development until now, is a highlight of the celebrations, which are being held at Chiang Mai Zoo until May 30. A 95-pound birthday cake was created to mark the occasion.
Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) director Sophon Damnui said Linping, who has grown to toddlerhood under the loving care of the Chiang Mai zookeepers, now weighs a healthy 36 kilogrammes. This is average weight for panda cubs of the same age.
Linping is now beginning to eat fruit, bamboo and bamboo shoots, as well as drinking her mother’s milk.
Her climbing skills have considerably improved, said Mr Sophon.
Popular panda Lin Hui greatly surprised her keepers and the public on May 27 last year, when she gave birth to Linping. Despite attempts at artificial insemination, her pregnancy had not been confirmed.
Ever since, the baby panda has become a hugely popular attraction at the zoo. People have flocked into Chiang Mai Zoo to admire the cute cub. Her life with Lin Hui has been broadcast live on the Panda Channel reality-TV show, where her antics have been shown around the clock.
Her name was selected from millions sent in on postcards to the zoo. “Lin” comes from the first syllable of her mom’s name, while “Ping” is the name of the main river of Chiang Mai. With the presence of Linping, said Mr Sophon, Chiang Mai Zoo has enjoyed the highest income since it opened. A net income of Bt20 million was earned in 2009.
Mr Sophon added that the number of zoo visitors had increased by 60 per cent. He also shared the good news that that Linping may be allowed to stay in Thailand for some additional time before moving on to her ancestral home in China.
Thailand was able to house Lin Hui and her male companion Chuang Chuang in a deal reached with China six years ago. The pair are seen as ambassadors of friendship between the two countries.
Thailand must return the popular pandas to China in 2013. The Thai government is seeking an extension of Linping’s stay here, as under the agreement made by both countries, any panda cub born in the kingdom must be returned to China within two years. (TNA)
