Looks like Calgary will be getting a couple of Panda bears for five years if this agreement goes through. Five years for Toronto Zoo and five for Calgary.
Brings back memories of the Panda fever this city had in '88. Who else remembers the Panda ice cream?
Stephen Harper secures pandas for Toronto, Calgary during China mission
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Chinese leadership announced Thursday that Canada and China are finalizing details on an agreement that would see the Chinese loan two giant pandas to zoos in Calgary and Toronto for a period of five years each.
Harper will announce more details of a looming agreement on Saturday, when he visits a panda preservation centre in the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing and gets up close and personal with the bamboo munchers.
But the two sides released a joint statement Thursday, following a bilateral meeting, explaining the panda swap is almost a go.
“Following agreement by Canada and China, the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens will sign an agreement with the Toronto and Calgary zoos to provide a pair of giant pandas for 10 years of collaborative research on conservation,” says the statement.
Government officials won’t disclose more details — including what order the zoos will have the bears and financial cost, if any — until Harper’s announcement on Saturday,
Discussions had been ongoing among the zoos in Calgary, Toronto and Granby, Que. for a couple of years about the possibility of acquiring the pandas on loan from China.
In 2010, then-environment minister Jim Prentice said the federal government had essentially finalized an agreement with China that would see the three Canadian zoos collectively “adopt” two giant pandas, likely beginning in 2011.
However, it looks as though Granby — which various zoo officials said likely had the most preparatory work to do — has been dropped off the list.
Quebec is going to be ticked off with Calgary and Toronto getting them and not them.
I bet it'll just be a couple of dudes in panda suits. Watch their movements carefully.
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I'm quite confused as to why our Prime Minister is putting his time & effort into securing zoo animals. I get the diplomatic relations angle... but come on... it's zoo animals.
Couldn't they have arranged a game of softball or artist exchange or something? Or baring that at least something entertaining, like an Iron Chef cook off!
But hey, Harper is busy ensuring kids will be able to go see a real life sad panda.
I'm quite confused as to why our Prime Minister is putting his time & effort into securing zoo animals. I get the diplomatic relations angle... but come on... it's zoo animals.
Couldn't they have arranged a game of softball or artist exchange or something? Or baring that at least something entertaining, like an Iron Chef cook off!
But hey, Harper is busy ensuring kids will be able to go see a real life sad panda.
I think Chinese pandas go well beyond the realm of simply trading for animals and instead agreements like this speak volumes as to how the Chinese wish to go forward with their relationship with us.
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I'm quite confused as to why our Prime Minister is putting his time & effort into securing zoo animals. I get the diplomatic relations angle... but come on... it's zoo animals.
Couldn't they have arranged a game of softball or artist exchange or something? Or baring that at least something entertaining, like an Iron Chef cook off!
But hey, Harper is busy ensuring kids will be able to go see a real life sad panda.
I think it's the other way around. Harper knows that this is how you deal with the Chinese government, who have a long history of dealing in pandas.
I swear to god we had a cassette tape growing up that was from when the pandas were at the Calgary Zoo. It was some really bad song about Panda Magic at the Zoo in Cal-ga-ree. Anyone else have one of these?
I think it's the other way around. Harper knows that this is how you deal with the Chinese government, who have a long history of dealing in pandas.
Eh fair enough, if this is what it takes & bestowing a panda to another country is a great honour than so be it. I just had a chuckle at the thought of our PM leaning in and saying "so, let's talk about those pandas I keep hearing about" and the two of them fleshing out the exchange over coffee while reporters snap pictures.
C'mon who doesn't love pandas! I remember being huge lineups back in the 90's when they came. I also remember a sweet foam/mesh/snapback hat that I wish I knew where it was.
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I was at one of these panda research bases in China in November. Going from never seeing a live panda in person, to seeing ~75 from new borns to adults is something I'll never forget. I saw the largest number of panda cubs ever bred in captivity - 8 little footballs.
You could hold the panda cubs if you were willing to pony up the cash. I don't remember the cost, but I think it was hundreds of dollars.
I was at one of these panda research bases in China in November. Going from never seeing a live panda in person, to seeing ~75 from new borns to adults is something I'll never forget. I saw the largest number of panda cubs ever bred in captivity - 8 little footballs.
You could hold the panda cubs if you were willing to pony up the cash. I don't remember the cost, but I think it was hundreds of dollars.
Pandas coming back to Calgary
