Pandas Wed In Thai Zoo

[stumonster]

Pandas wed in Thai zoo

By Vorasit Satienlerk in Chang Mai

November 09, 2005

TWO pandas have been married by proxy in Thailand to mark the 28th birthday of their zoo and what officials hope is the start of their mating season.

The traditional Chinese ceremony was held for five-year-old male Chuang Chuang and four-year-old female Lin Hui, lent to the zoo in the northern city of Chiang Mai for 10 years in 2003, Thai and Chinese officials said.

"Start making children soon. Don't let me down," Chinese Consul Peng Ren Dong told a couple dressed as pandas - which are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity - during a colourful tea ceremony which is part of Chinese wedding rites.

The ceremony, formally called The Happiness and Fun Fair to avoid offending people who think 'marrying' animals is undignified, started on a hot and murky morning in Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's home town.

Hundreds of people in traditional costumes, led by Thai drummers and dragon dancers, marched from a city gate to the zoo.

The proxy pandas - the 'bride' wearing a traditional red and white Chinese headdress - rode in a convertible car at the head of a parade of people waving Chinese and Thai flags and mascots.

The parade stopped at a school where drum dancers performed, then paused at the Chinese consulate for a dragon dance during its 4 km route to the zoo, where the pandas live in a $1 million refrigerated cage.

The "bride", a teenage girl, had to sit down and inhale eucalyptus oil to prevent herself from fainting after spending a couple of hours in the panda costume.

After the tea ceremony, the real pandas - who eat only bamboo - were showered with fruit, ice cream and a three-tier ice cake decorated with dragons. Their human proxies were sprinkled with water to fight the heat.

Zoo officials said they hoped Thailand's hot climate would bring forward the pandas' mating season to November from the March-May period in their native China.

"We believe the sun and heat in Thailand will have an impact on their hormone system and will accelerate their reproductive capability," senior zoologist Thanong Nateepitak was quoted as saying by the Matichon newspaper.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...55E1702,00.html

[astral]

Did they exchange vows and rings?

[stumonster]

Pandas married, lookalikes paraded

From correspondents in Bangkok

November 10, 2005

THEIR wedding cake had three tiers decorated with dragons, but the wedding couple was only interested in eating bamboo.

Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai pulled out the stops to throw a traditional Chinese wedding for two giant pandas on loan from China, with the hope that they will consummate their marriage and make some babies soon, local media reported.

Five-year-old Chuang Chuang and his four-year-old bride Lin Hui had a cake in their pen but never left the zoo.

They were married yesterday by proxy with a couple in panda costumes parading through the city and going through the traditions of a Chinese wedding ceremony.

Chiang Mai MP Payap Shinawatra oversaw the services, in which the two panda mascots were paraded through the city in a procession with 500 people in costumes. The mascots, wearing red and white headresses for the services, also offered tea to the elderly, a Chinese wedding tradition.

"Start making children soon. Don't let me down," Chinese Consul Peng Ren told the couple, according to the Bangkok Post.

The pandas, which are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, arrived in Chiang Mai in 2003 on a 10-year loan from China.

Conservatives forced the zoo to remove the word "marriage" from the name of the event, calling it instead "The Happiness and Fun Fair," after complaining that holding a wedding for animals was undignified, the Post reported.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...55E1702,00.html

cue B&W minstrel show jokes

[sriracha john]

UPDATE FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES

As in many marriages, it took time to get used to each other... but once they FINALLY did, they got down to business....

You Rock My World, Baby

(Rueters) Giant panda Chuang Chuang and his partner Lin Hui mate for the first time at the Chiang Mai zoo.

(Bangkok Herald-Examiner) has received unconfirmed reports stating that a Barry White soundtrack was used to entice the lovemaking.

A Short While Afterwards:

(Bangkok Herald-Examiner) As the male picked his teeth with a bamboo toothpick, the newspaper quoted panda expert Dr. Dolittleit, who has developed a system of communicating with them, as interpreting the male Chuang Chuang as saying..

"Yeah, she was ok...but I've had better."

Pandas at Thailand zoo mate for first time in two years

BANGKOK, Thailand -- At first, it was a purely platonic relationship. But after two years in the same enclosure, giant pandas Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui have started mating, raising hopes they could give birth to a baby in the coming months.

"The pandas are very happy. For the last two days, they have made love together," said Rossukhon Chuicomwong, head of public relations for the Chiang Mai Zoo.

Associated Press

Good luck to the couple

Edited January 19, 2006 by sriracha john

[naka]

Due to new government legislation, they could'nt supply him with a cigarette !

Edited January 20, 2006 by naka

[sriracha john]

PANDA PORN SPARKS OUTRAGE

[bangkok Herald-Examiner]

Bangkok - The Ministry of Culture along with the Ministry of Information Technology issued a joint statement today regarding the recently published photographs through various media outlets of the Giant Pandas currently residing at the Chiang Mai zoo.

"The distateful publication of these photos is not in keeping with the modesty of the Thai people," is how the current Culture Minister Somchai Readsalotaporn said.

When queried by Herald-Examiner reporters that it was indeed pandas and not people that were displayed and that the pandas were, in fact, Chinese, Somchai reiterated his point and said that any future Panda photos would require screening by his office prior to publication in any media outlet.

"We have to get a strong, firm grip on all this pornography," Somchai said. "Otherwise, things can get quite messy."

Meanwhile, over at PM's special website porno screening room, Minister Newin stated that he was up to his 930th porn website checking it's content for unsuitable content. "I know the Prime Minister said he want's 800,000 websites banned, but this is going to take longer than we expected as each website has to be scrutinized carefully... slowly... tenderly...lovingly... before we can quicken the pace and screen them faster.... and faster.... and faster..... and deeper.... and harder..... faster...."

It was at that time, Minister Newin's eyes glazed over and reporters retreated and allowed him to return to the screening room to continue with his 931st porn website.

[Ricardo]

Hub of panda porn !

Can't they get any privacy - for their honeymoon ?

[AmeriThai]

Now that the pamdas are married... if panda hubby starts fooling around, I wonder if his panda wife can collect compensation from the panda mia noi?

[Mr Red]

"We have to get a strong, firm grip on all this pornography," Somchai said. "Otherwise, things can get quite messy."

[sriracha john]

UPDATE FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES

As in many marriages, it took time to get used to each other... but once they FINALLY did, they got down to business....

You Rock My World, Baby

(Rueters) Giant panda Chuang Chuang and his partner Lin Hui mate for the first time at the Chiang Mai zoo.

(Bangkok Herald-Examiner) has received unconfirmed reports stating that a Barry White soundtrack was used to entice the lovemaking.

A Short While Afterwards:

(Bangkok Herald-Examiner) As the male picked his teeth with a bamboo toothpick, the newspaper quoted panda expert Dr. Dolittleit, who has developed a system of communicating with them, as interpreting the male Chuang Chuang as saying..

"Yeah, she was ok...but I've had better."

Pandas at Thailand zoo mate for first time in two years

BANGKOK, Thailand -- At first, it was a purely platonic relationship. But after two years in the same enclosure, giant pandas Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui have started mating, raising hopes they could give birth to a baby in the coming months.

"The pandas are very happy. For the last two days, they have made love together," said Rossukhon Chuicomwong, head of public relations for the Chiang Mai Zoo.

Associated Press

Good luck to the couple

UPDATE.... SUCCESS for Lin Hui ! !

Baby panda born in Thailand from Lin Hui

CHIANG MAI, May 27 (TNA) – Chiang Mai Zoo’s popular panda Lin Hui delivered a big surprise to her keepers and the public alike as she delivered her first baby on Wednesday.

Her pregnancy had not been confirmed in the latest ultrasound test earlier this month.

Director Sopon Damnui of the Zoological Park Organisation, at a press conference in the afternoon, affirmed that the first baby panda born in Thailand was by Lin Hui.

Thailand ‘borrowed’ female panda Lin Hui and her male companion Chuang Chuang from China six years ago as ambassadors of friendship between the two countries. The pandas have ever since been on exhibition at Chiang Mai Zoo.

Artificial insemination was conducted for the panda couple on February 18. After earlier observations of Lin Hui's behaviour, officials believed she might become pregnant.

In the latest ultrasound earlier this month, zoo officials found movement inside Lin Hui's body, but they had not identified that she was pregnant.

According to the zoo official, Lin Hui delivered her baby this morning but the infant’s pandas sex was not yet identified.

Under the agreement with China, Thailand must deliver the baby panda to China after 24 months.

-- TNA 2009-05-27

[sriracha john]

A Short While Afterwards:

(Bangkok Herald-Examiner) As the male picked his teeth with a bamboo toothpick, the newspaper quoted panda expert Dr. Dolittleit, who has developed a system of communicating with them, as interpreting the male Chuang Chuang as saying..

"Yeah, she was ok...but I've had better."

Uhmm... so much for your "big" talking, Chuang Chuang...

errr... due to your inability to uhm.... "adequately perform", your missus was impregnated artificially...

Lin Hui gives birth to baby panda

Female panda Lin Hui, whi has been on loan from China to Chiang Mai zoo since 2003, gave birth to a healthy cub on Wednesday morning. "Lin Hui delivered a cub at 10.10am," Chiang Mai zoo director Thanaphat Pongphamon said.

The sex and weight of the cub were still unknown as Lin Hui would not allow zoo officials near the baby, Mr Thanaphat said. Lin Hui had carried the baby for 93 days and the birth was without complications.

This is considered a big success for Chiang Mai zoo. Despite the best care and encouragement, Lin Hui's partner Chuang Chuang had failed to impregnate her.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-27

[Ricardo]

Many congratulations to the Happy Couple !

Does the new baby have it's mother's eyes ?

[Carib]

yes it has got it`s mothers eyes and a cold too....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E63ExmhOk8g

[sriracha john]

US$150,000 to be paid to China over birth of panda cub

BANGKOK, 28 May 2009 (NNT) – The Zoological Park Organization is preparing to pay US$150,000 [ 5,160,313 Thai Baht ] to China as defined in the contract governing the lending of the pandas by China.

Zoological Park Organization Director-General Sophon Damnui today attended a meeting of the working committee responsible for the care of the panda cub. He said thereafter that the meeting laid down its working guideline for the next 100 days, which calls for a study of Chinese customs over how to celebrate the cub's birth, the welcoming of various committees and officials, and arrangements over Thai-Chinese relations.

Sophon said any extension of the research period on the pandas was a government-level issue that would require negotiations, whereas his organization's responsibility was more concerned with promoting the welfare of the pandas.

Sophon said counseling would be sought with Chinese authorities before celebrations would be held for the birth of the panda cub.

The activities are aimed at promoting knowledge and unity among the Thai public, as well as its fondness towards pandas.

Half of the US$150,000 owed to China due to the successful birth of the cub would be paid within 30 days.

The money would be used by Chinese authorities to ensure the welfare of pandas in the wild.

Veterinarians have had the cub measured and weighed. A large LCD screen has been installed at the panda exhibit site so the public could easily see the animals.

-- NNT 2009-05-28

[sriracha john]

Chavalit offers to help country keep cub

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is willing to do what he can to help Thailand keep the first cub of a panda on loan from China in the country for as long as possible. General Chavalit said yesterday that no one had asked him to negotiate with China, but that he was ready to lend a helping hand.

He believes that Zoological Park Organisation Director-General Sophon Damnui is very interested in the panda cub staying longer and is likely to discuss the issue with China. He also believes all Thai people want the cub to stay in Thailand as long as possible.

Lin Hui and her mate Xuang Xuang are two pandas that China lent to Thailand 10 years ago. A team of Thai veterinarians finally resorted to artificial insemination with Lin Hui to get her pregnant as the natural mating process was taking too long.

Under the loan contract with China, Thailand must return any cub to China within two years from its birth.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-30

[sriracha john]

US$150,000 to be paid to China over birth of panda cub

BANGKOK, 28 May 2009 (NNT) – The Zoological Park Organization is preparing to pay US$150,000 [ 5,160,313 Thai Baht ] to China as defined in the contract governing the lending of the pandas by China.

Under the loan contract with China, Thailand must return any cub to China within two years from its birth.

5 Million Baht and they don't even get to keep the panda?!?! That's a heck of a rental fee for less than 2 years.

[DP25]

5 Million Baht and they don't even get to keep the panda?!?! That's a heck of a rental fee for less than 2 years.

Standard Panda rental fee from China is $1 million per year, it's less for any newborns. All Pandas in foreign zoos belong to China, including any they breed, and are only on loan.

[sriracha john]

Million baht for new panda's name

A one million prize is being offered for the winner of a contest to name the baby panda born in Chiang Mai last week.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti announced the competition on Tuesday after a visit to the Chiang Mai Zoo to see the new panda cub, which is now seven days old.

He said the contest was open to people all over the country. The entries would be shortlisted to four. Each of them would get 400,000 baht and a round-trip air ticket to visit panda sites in China. One of the four names would then be selected for the new panda and the winner would get the winning prize of one million baht.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...-new-panda-name

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-02

Edited June 2, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Chuang Chuang, a male panda, chews bamboo leaves inside its cage in Chiang Mai zoo in Chiang Mai.

Associated Press

Experts want semen of father panda in Thailand

BANGKOK -- Chinese experts plan to take the semen of giant panda Chuang Chuang to China next year for breeding after the successful artificial insemination of partner Lin Hui, which resulted in the birth of a cub, the Bangkok Post's website reported Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, May 27, Lin Hui, the female panda in the Chiang Mai Zoo in the Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai, delivered her first baby, which has become the first panda born in Thailand and the world for 2009.

More experts from China would come to Thailand next year to take some of Chuang Chuang's sperm to the panda research center in China for use in future artificial insemination programs, said Wei Ming, Chinese panda expert, the Bangkok Post reported.

Ming arrived at the Chiang Mai Zoo shortly after the birth of the cub to supervise Thai staff in taking care of the new panda cub.

"It is good semen," as the successful impregnation in Thailand showed Chuang Chuang's sperm is strong and adequate for use in artificial insemination outside the breeding season, Prasertsak Boontrakulpoonthawee, chief of the panda research project at the Chiang Mai Zoo, quoted Wei Ming as saying.

"We plan to let them mate naturally and carry out artificial insemination again during 2011 and 2012," Prasertsak said.

It is discovered that the newly-born baby panda has superb physical development, Wei Ming said earlier.

The eight-day-old baby panda is now increasingly getting black hair around its ears, front and back legs. Also, the black patches are forming around its eyes. With an 18-centimeter-physical length, it weighted 290 grams on Tuesday.

Lin Hui and Chuang Chuang, the father of the newly-born baby panda, have been on loan from China to the Chiang Mai Zoo since 2003, as part of a panda research program. The loan agreement will see the two pandas returned to China after 10 years, while any cub will be returned to China after two years of its birth.

On February 18, 2009, Lin Hui was impregnated with artificial insemination after all efforts to arouse male Chuang Chuang's interest in mating had failed.

- Xinhua / 2009-06-03

[sriracha john]

On February 18, 2009, Lin Hui was impregnated with artificial insemination after all efforts to arouse male Chuang Chuang's interest in mating had failed.

The male panda, Chuang Chuang, at the Chiang Mai zoo.

[Ricardo]

Million baht for new panda's name

A one million prize is being offered for the winner of a contest to name the baby panda born in Chiang Mai last week.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti announced the competition on Tuesday after a visit to the Chiang Mai Zoo to see the new panda cub, which is now seven days old.

He said the contest was open to people all over the country. The entries would be shortlisted to four. Each of them would get 400,000 baht and a round-trip air ticket to visit panda sites in China. One of the four names would then be selected for the new panda and the winner would get the winning prize of one million baht.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...-new-panda-name

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-02

In view of the payment now due, following the borth of this cuddly little bundle, I nominate "Massive Overseas Debt" as its name !