Viewing "Yang Guang" and "Tian Tian " at Edinburg

The modern World is lot about hype and the present hype undoubtedly is ‘kolaveri di’ sung by Danush – everyone is crazy writing and speaking about the 20 million odd hits that the song got in You Tube since its release in Nov. 16.  – a search reveals that there are some songs which are way above in terms of popularity and hits on the web which include Justin Bieber's "Baby ft. Ludacris" (671,069,814 views), Jennifer Lopez's "On The Floor ft. Pitbull" (444,281,564 views), Shakira's "Waka Waka" (427,435,565 views) ………… 

Remember Shakira or Waka waka – this time for Africa was the song of the Colombian – the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Now there is another site which is becoming popular and taking many hits with a purpose – may not be so many in numbers but a popular site with a purpose. : - https://www.bookyourvisit.com/bookings/StartBooking.aspx?   - yes as could be easily imagined it provides booking in advance – Olympics ticket, pleasure stay, Cinema, restaurant or any such entertainment -  no – this is a site of a Zoo where people are vying to see the new arrival !!

The instructions read :  Viewing Arrangements

•        Numbers for each viewing session are limited so pre-booking is essential

•        Viewing the __________ Zoo ___________ is free but ticketed.

•        Groups will be led through the viewing areas every 10mins.

•        It will take approximately 20 minutes to see the ________ experience.

•        In extreme weather conditions we may have to close the  Zoo.

•        Due to any unforeseen animal welfare issues viewing sessions may be suspended without notice.

•        During certain points of the day, the _______ will be taken off-show for short periods of time. We will alternate this so there is always one ______ on-show.

•        Children under 3 years are admitted free to  Zoo but must be booked

•        All ____________ viewing slot tickets have to be printed before coming to the Zoo. Tickets displayed on smart phones or tablets will not be accepted. Print must be clearly legible

•        Online Tickets must be bought by midnight on the day before your intended visit and used on the day selected at the time of purchase. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

They do not belong to this place… While the dragon has historically served as China's national emblem, in recent decades this animal has also served as an emblem for the country. Its image appears on a large number of modern Chinese commemorative silver, gold, and platinum coins.

Well not to keep your imaginations flying around – it is that of Zoo at Edinburg and the animal is  “Giant Panda” – a mammal known for its insatiable appetite for bamboo. A typical animal eats half the day—a full 12 out of every 24 hours—and relieves itself dozens of times a day. It takes 28 pounds (12.5 kilograms) of bamboo to satisfy a giant panda's daily dietary needs, and it hungrily plucks the stalks with elongated wrist bones that function rather like thumbs. Pandas will sometimes eat birds or rodents as well  - and they are endangered animals……

The giant panda, or panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca, literally meaning "black and white cat-foot") is a bear native to central-western and south western China. It is easily recognized by its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, over the ears, and across its round body.   The giant panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China, mainly in Sichuan province, but also in the Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.  It is stated that less than 250  of them live  in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country.

After years of negotiations, two of them have been moved out from their Chinese home to a Zoo in Edinburg, Scotland.  The two giant pandas arrived in Edinburgh Zoo last week and  have been settling in to their new surroundings in different ways.   The male is  Yang Guang,  also known as Sunshine,  the female is Tian Tian (Sweetie) which reportedly has been reticent.   

Now for those of us in India, there is some history behind…   As one would know, Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary]) is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms.  The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726. The current holder is Prince Philip – is  the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch.

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom; sharing  its  a border with England, North sea, Atlantic Ocean and Irish sea.  It has over 790 islands.  Remember that Scotland played in the WC 2011.   Edinburgh  is the capital city of Scotland.   Edinburgh Zoo, formally the Scottish National Zoological Park, is a non-profit zoological park located in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. The mission statement of Edinburgh Zoo is "To excite and inspire our visitors with the wonder of living animals, and so to promote the conservation of threatened species and habitats". Owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, it receives over 600,000 visitors a year, which makes it Scotland's second most popular paid-for tourist attraction, after Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Zoo is the only zoo in Britain to house koalas, as well as being the first zoo in the world to house and to breed penguins, in particular, King penguins.  The zoo now houses the two giant pandas whose arrival was greeted by hundreds as they arrived after a gruelling 11 hour flight from China.  The arrival is hailed as 'significant chapter' in relationship between China and the UK, as they are the first giant pandas for nearly 20 years.  

Would soon post another one on the transit of these giant pandas which sure would enthuse those Marine Insurers more….

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.