![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() by Staff Writers Taipei (AFP) Dec 28, 2020
A second Taiwan-born giant panda made her media debut on Monday, clambering over a wooden climbing frame and playing with sawdust to the sound of clicking cameras. The cub was born on June 28 to Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, who were gifted by China in 2008 to mark then warming relations between the two rivals. China usually only loans its pandas to foreign zoos, but gave the breeding pair -- whose names combine to mean "reunion" or "unity". China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day bring the self-ruled democratic island back into the fold, by force if necessary. Yuan Bao, which means "round baby" in Chinese, was unveiled to some 150 reporters and invited guests alongside her mother at Taipei Zoo. Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je said the cub had "grown well". She now weighs over 13 kilogrammes (30 pounds), up from 186 grams (6.5 ounces) at birth. Taiwan's zoo has seen a flurry of births this year, including a gorilla, koala, Malayan tapir and pangolin. Yuan Yuan gave birth to a daughter Yuan Zai in 2013 -- the first giant panda born in Taiwan. The family has been the top attraction at the zoo. According to the World Wildlife Fund, just over 1,800 are believed remaining in the wild.
![]() ![]() Howling into the void? US wolf recovery endangered by Trump South Salem, United States (AFP) Dec 28, 2020 They thrive at teamwork, fight for their homes, and cherish their families above all else. It is sometimes said there is no animal on Earth more like humans in their social behavior than wolves. But the iconic species - long a symbol of the free spirit of the American wilderness - could soon be imperiled because of a decision by President Donald Trump's government to end protections that brought them back from the brink of extinction. "Wolves right now have only recovered in about 10 perce ... read more
![]() |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |