It must have been about a decade ago that I visited the Chengdu Panda Research Center as a treat when I lectured on evolution at Chengdu University in China. At that time there weren’t many giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) onsite, but they let me reach into the cage and pet a sleeping panda through the bars. (Note: NOT AS GOOD AS HOLDING A BABY FELID!) Reader Alexas Skukas recounts his recent visit to the center, with cute pictures, of course.

My work took me to China over the course of the last two weeks and I had the good fortune of being able to spend a little time one afternoon at the Chengdu Panda Research Center.  I think it may have been about ten years since you last visited, but the place is going strong. The day I was there was cloudy and cool – and the pandas were out en masse.  My colleague who lives in Chengdu said he hadn’t seen so many out at one time.

The most memorable moment was a quiet one that did not involve the excited squealing of tourists upon seeing the panda cubs.  Instead it was a touching scene of one of the workers sitting next to a juvenile panda and showing the panda how to open the bamboo stalks.  The panda would watch intently, then gently take the stalk from the young lady’s hand.  She talked quietly to the panda – a clear bond existing between the two.

And then, of course, there were the baby pandas, every tiny movement of which produced all sorts of cooing from the audience.  Chengdu has so many extra cubs lying around that they store them in plastic bins in case they need a spare one.  And when they do get a crib, they have to share.

I hope the attached few pictures bring back fond memories.

A panda learning to open bamboo:

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