Britain's Panda On The Run Found Hiding Up A Tree

FLORA AND FAUNA

Photo of a red panda.

London (AFP) Nov 03, 2005
A rare red panda called Babu whot went on the run in Britain's second-biggest city Birmingham has been found safe and well up a tree, officials said on Thurdsay.

The cat-sized creature -- who looks more like a racoon than the Giant Panda bear -- sparked a desperate plea to local residents to check sheds and gardens after he disappeared from Birmingham Nature Centre on Sunday.

He was eventually discovered -- apparently unscathed from his foray into the urban jungle -- about 60ft (18.2 metres) up a tree, one mile (1.6 kilometres) away.

Although red pandas eat mainly bamboo, Babu is thought to have survived on fruit and berries from nearby trees and was also spotted dining out at a bird table.

Geoff Cole of Birmingham City Council said: "We are immensely relieved to have Babu back and reunited with his brother Tensing.

"Since their arrival here, the red pandas have been the centre's most popular attraction."

Keeper Colin Parker said: "I haven't slept since he went missing early on Sunday morning, so it's a huge relief."

Babu and Tensing were brought to the centre as part of a British and European breeding programme.

He made an unsuccessful bid for freedom earlier last week but was found in a nearby garden -- forcing nature park keepers to tighten up security on his cage.

Red pandas are an endangered species and said to be normally placid, but very curious.

All rights reserved. � 2004 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

FLORA AND FAUNA

China Kicks Off High-Tech Project To Spy On Pandas' Sex Lives

Beijing (AFP) Sep 26, 2005
Chinese and American scientists will use high technology in an attempt to unveil the darkest secrets of the giant panda's sex life, state media said Monday.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - 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. 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. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.