Our company, Lowe Profero is a digital advertising agency, but behind it all is supported by a strong tech team that consists of .NET, PHP, and FE developers. Until now, our Profero Tech office in Beijing was the one focused on handling the development work coming in for various projects globally. However, with the opening of our new branch in Chengdu, we are now able to work together on a number of projects with the new team. ANDDD what better way to celebrate then to take a trip down south to the lovely Sichuan province and spend some time with China's Giant Pandas and the entire China team? Below are some shots from the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Conservatory. A big thanks for my awesome team and company in taking us on such a trip :)
Some Giant panda facts:
Giant Pandas are listed under the World Conservation Union's Red List of Threatened Species, with an estimated 1,600 left in the wild, and 300 in captivity.
Giant Pandas have a similar body typical of other bears, but since they have a diet that consists of 99% bamboo (though carnivorous), and do not hibernate, they spend most of their day resting, seeking food, or eating food.
Lifestyle: Consuming 20-40 pounds of bamboo/day; 10-16 foraging or eating/day.
Aside from marsupials, a Giant Panda is the smallest animal born relative to its mother at 1/900th of its size!
Giant panda babies are born pink, blind, and hairless, and rely considerably on its mother to raise it. Though there are up to four cubs per litter, the considerable effort it takes to raise their offspring only allows one to be kept alive in the wilderness--not to mention, they stay with their mothers for up to three years.
Pandas are quite lethargic creatures, who rarely mate. Not to mention, females only ovulate once a year, which doesn't help their staggering population. Pandas in captivity are almost always bred by artificial insemination. (Imagine that..waking up and realizing you're having a baby. WUT HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? IMMACULATE CONCEPTION? AM I THE NEXT MARY?)
Not only are pandas a universal symbol of China, but a universal symbol of preservation. I think observing animals can produce fresh perspectives on life and human nature and all respect for living things teach us things we never knew about ourselves. Love what you are given in this life. Respect all living things.
Here are some shots from the Chengdu trip--and some very special shots of Kerwin and his daughter (but mostly his daughter). Protect what you love :) Save the pandas.
Late night snacks--not panda.
“The greatness of a nation and moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Love,
Daze