Wild Panda rescued by farmers in Sichuan

A wild Panda trapped in rocks in Sichuan province was rescued by local farmers (click for video) and treated for leg wounds. I think this is an excellent example of how humans and Pandas can co-exist peacefully and benefit each other. The Panda was freed, and now good karma will follow the brave farmers who came to the Panda's aid. This event will be good for human-Panda relations worldwide.

Tibetan Mastiffs

I'm a bit disappointed at the outcome of the Westminster dog show. Nothing against the winner (Stump, a Sussex Spaniel), but I was rooting for the Tibetan Mastiff, Gold Standard. Most people don't know that Tibetan Mastiffs are very spiritual and, like Pandas, are typically Buddhist. Like Pandas, they are very intelligent, good with children, and very attached to and protective of their families. They are also territorial and highly suspicious of strangers. Like Pandas, they are also hypoallergenic and shed very little. These shared qualities help to make both Tibetan Mastiffs and Pandas wonderful companions.

Thoughts on Panda Cuteness

Pandas are cute and adorable. This makes other creatures (especially people) like them more. If humans focused on being as cute and adorable as Pandas, humans would like each other more and get along better and have less conflict.

New Red Panda at Philadelphia Zoo

My friend Sparkler (in the picture above), a 16-year old Red Panda at the Philadelphia Zoo, has a new female friend living with him, Jing Li (click for link).

Now, the name "Red Panda" is a misnomer, because the red pandas are much more closely related to raccoons and skunks than they are to bears (like the Giant Panda). However, Red Pandas populate the mountains of China like Giant Pandas, and share many aspects of Panda Culture despite their different evolutionary heritage and anatomical differences. For example, the adult Red Pandas are primarily solitary, usually coming together only to mate (which they do much more frequently than Giant Pandas for some unknown reason). They like to climb trees like Giant Pandas. They also primarily eat bamboo, despite the fact that their digestive system cannot efficiently digest cellulose, meaning that they have to eat lots of bamboo, just like Giant Pandas. Like Giant Pandas, they are generally docile creatures, first attempting to flee if they feel threatened and only resorting to the use of violence when there is no alternative, and like the Giant Panda, they are ferocious warriors.

You can learn more about Red Pandas here (click for link).

The vast majority of both Red Pandas and Giant Pandas are Buddhist, despite the Chinese governments oppression of Buddhism. This shared oppression brings these two species closer together.

Humans could learn much by observing the interactions of Giant Pandas and Red Pandas, two completely different species that recognize many shared traits and co-exist peacefully in harmony with nature.

Kung Fu Panda Sweeps Annie Awards

Will Kung Fu Panda win an Oscar?? Perhaps (click for link)....

While I am adverse to the slothful nature of the Panda portrayed in Kung Fu Panda, I do believe that the martial arts expertise shown by the Panda at the end of the movie correctly exhibit the athletic potential inherent in the Panda and how great a warrior the Panda is. I also support anything that brings Panda culture to the spotlight.

Believe in yourself and you can do anything.

Congratulations on #6 !!