You cannot go to Sichuan and NOT see pandas. This is the area that is famous for the Giant Pandas. There is a Research center and Sanctuary that is around 2 hours from Chengdu. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged in the 2008 earthquake. Most of the pandas have been moved to another location that is farther. But in Chengdu there is a Research and Breeding Center. Our first full day in Chengdu we woke up early. We had heard that in order to see them active it is best to arrive early. We arrived at the research center and were walking along quietly (because according to the signs it is important to be quiet) when all of the sudden one of the keepers came along screaming: "来, 来, 来!"(lai, lai, lai; meaning: come, come, come) and waking up the pandas for breakfast. This was such a treat because I had only seen pandas at the National Zoo and they were always sleeping. But we got to watch them eat and then they were really active. We even got to see some newborns. Did you know that the panda has the digestive system of a carnivore, but almost solely eats bamboo? And because this diet is so poor in nutrition, it must consume great quantities of the bamboo daily (20-30 pounds each day). It has also changed its behavior and limits its activities to conserve energy (hence all the sleeping and lounging around).
Tori couldn't be drawn away for a picture, because c'mon how does posing for a picture compare to watching the pandas?
These 2 humored us with their antics as they climbed all over the structure and each other.
And this guy was hilarious. He was reclining with bamboo scattered across his stomach, munching away. He so reminded us someone lounging in a lazy boy.
But then apparently even sitting up required to much effort because we came back a few minutes later and found him like this. Laying down and STILL eating. Got to have priorities!
There was even an area of red pandas.
When we first came upon this guy, he was asleep in the tree. But eventually he woke up, and came down for breakfast.
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