A most memorable day

Today I have been to the Panda research institution just outside Chengdu (10km beyond the city limit) 80y/£8 for guided tour. Even with the traffic of Chengdu it is possible to get to the centre within 30mins and we leave at 8am in a mini-van. The group includes 3 Brits, 2 Chinese myself and a Frenchman all keen as mustard to get a view of the symbolic animal of China. On first appearance it does not look up to expectation with an overgrown small car park leading to a pathway lined with panda pictures several of which are faded and torn… On reaching the gate however things change into a more magical environment with a large Panda statue and a wealth of hanging red lanterns (Red is the colour of good fortune). All of the paths are clearly planned for many more visitors and I am sure that the summer sees teems of tourists massing around each of the exhibits - I am glad that I am here in the winter as there are very few visitors, in fact we rarely see anyone else!!
The tour is organised to give us the best chance of seeing the pandas active - and happily they do not disappoint ;) we get our first view of the elusive creatures hitting the bamboo in a big way - you can hear them chewing the fibrous stems before you see them but the first group are a little shy and have their backs to us - although they still have that appeal with their panda shape and prominent ears J
Next stop is another enclosure of Red Pandas - these tykes are really live wires and bundle around their climbing frames showing off for the best picture poses ;) Fantastic. We only depart the amusement when a small group of primary school children arrive…
As the morning progresses we move on through a number of enclosures and see pandas being pampered in their own domains usually paired with others - I understand that there are many different views on this subject but I can say that I looked into their eyes and saw an intelligence there and they seemed happy in their lives.
I was offered the chance to hold a panda (I think the only place in the world that this is an option) and jumped at the chance (just be aware that this will cost you 1000y/£100) but it is soo worth it, a real life affirming moment and something that will live with me forever. The panda that was brought in to sit on my lap was… well… check out the photo ;) - I was expecting some cute small baby panda and I received a still cute, but 60lb HUGE panda which sprawled across me and was quite a handful, but a real pleasure - she was warm and incredibly furry - it was rough fur but deep and her eyes when she had finished her apple seemed to look deep into me as she raised a paw to say hi J Pure magic… (But somewhere deep in my brain was a little nervous twitch that reminded me that this was in affect a bear on my lap, and no matter how co-operative she may be her paws had large prominent claws!) Then she had a pee and I knew it was time to have my trousers cleaned ;) All to soon my time was over… So, reluctantly, Certificate in hand I left her behind with the knowledge that I would return to this place to check on her progress in another year. An unbelievable experience and you can see the dedication of the staff who work tirelessly for the pandas. The importance of conserving this magnificent animal into the future cannot be overestimated.
Last stop is the Cubs enclosure and these fellows are really energetic with little control of their movements - their antics are funny and grant all of us broad smiles within seconds and memories to last a lifetime. I have attached videos, which of course are a pale interpretation of what I saw. I challenge anyone to come here look into there eyes and not want to work hard to conserve this species into the future. Wonderful. Enough said.