Two Sleeps to China!

[przed]

Things are coming together. Our Chinese currency arrived at the bank today, and I'm mostly packed up. I've also finally started playing around with the digital SLR my mom gave me for Christmas 2011 so I can bring it on the trip. (Yes, I'm pathetic.)

One of the things I'm now mulling over is our visit to the panda preserve in Chengdu. Our plan is to let Ros hold a baby panda, but should I? (On the one hand, you pay nearly $200 USD for the privilege. On the other hand, the funds go to the preserve, one hopes, and when else am I going to get the chance to hold a baby panda?)

So, whaddaya think?

[Poll #1900874]

Comments

[elfwhistletree.livejournal.com]

Giving money to the panda preserve seems like a reasonable thing to do, so the only real issue is whether the baby panda objects to/is harmed by/is benefited by being cuddled by visitors. If you are only mildly inconveniencing it, then that should be fine :-) We woke up a leopard in a tree in Zambia by shining a light at it - it was clearly miffed, in a feline way, but no more than that ;-)

I hope your trip all goes smoothly, and you all have fun without getting too stressed out about having fun, if you see what I mean ♥

[norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com]

Exciting times! Good luck with everything :)

I voted yes on the panda. I think if it's organised by a professional place, that works to keep pandas safe and has their welfare at heart, I don't see the issue. I'm sure they wouldn't do it if it was detrimental to the animals. It's not as if it's one of those street stall 'hold a monkey in Majorca' sort of deals - those are a massive no-no, obviously. And it raises money for the sanctuary too, so that's got to be good?

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

From the documentaries I've seen on the panda preserve, those babies get a fair amount of handling by humans anyway, so I don't think you'll harm them. On the other hand, I wouldn't personally pay that much money to hold anything, up to and including Jason Orange *g* So I would do whatever you feel like really!

*continues waving packing pom-poms*

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Sure! Hold that panda. It's no different than the Moonridge preserve in Big Bear, CA where we used to hold big Sentinel auctions every year and people bid up big bucks for a cuddle (if the animal was that sort!) and a picture with the celebrity. The animals aren't being mistreated and I've seen the handler leave the area if their charge seemed to be unhappy. So you can gauge how the people are handling the pandas. If it's relaxed, even sleeping or being curious, then it's a go. Healthy and sleek is good, right. :)

[gritsinmisery.livejournal.com]

I'm not fussed about whether holding the panda is bad for it, because yeah, they all get a lot of handling there. If you've budgeted the bucks and want to, go ahead. If you're looking for a spot to save a bit, well, Ros is getting to, enjoy her glee and pass on it yourself.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I've been poking around for pics of the pandas on the net, and they mostly seem pretty laid back about the holding thing, and the handlers are quick to whisk them away if they're not. So I think I'm leaning towards the yes side.

I think I'm over most of the stress now that the money's here and the packing is mostly done. (I will, however, still no doubt find a way to stay up until ridiculous-o'clock in the morning fussing over putting that one last thing in the suitcase.)

[przed.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

It looks like they're pretty good at looking after the pandas, and the money is going to the preserve, so I think I'm leaning to the yes side. The holding a monkey in Majorca thing, however, does sound a bit dire.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Point taken that they get a lot of handling. I may make the decision on the day once I can judge the set-up, but I think I may take the plunge. (It's a ridiculous amount of money, but compared to the overall cost of the trip it is a wee amount.)

Mmmmmm, holding Jason Orange. I'm sorry, what were you saying? *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

Judging how things are once we're there is probably the way to go. It is awfully tempting, though.

So did you get a cuddle with Garret?

[przed.livejournal.com]

I think I'm now tending to the yes side, but will wait and see how things look on the day.

[graculus.livejournal.com]

We got warned about the whole 'have your pic taken with...' aspect when I was in Sri Lanka, as you could potentially get all sorts of monkeys, snakes and whatever, anything to make a buck out of tourists - we even saw someone with a porcupine on a leash!

There's a major difference when it's personal gain v. preserve gain, imho, but if you can make the decision nearer the time rather than on the door, it'll probably feel a lot better.

[loyseofverlaine.livejournal.com]

Having been to the reserve, I'm pretty sure that those pandas they let you near are so accustomed to humans that no amount of cuddling by tourists would make a difference. (There's a picture of me and Papa Panda floating around somewhere at home, IIRC.) And any amount of money going to the reserve is a Good Thing - it's probably grown and improved since my visit, but I recall it as small and struggling for funds.

Have fun and enjoy!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I have cuddled with Garett and Richard both, several times. :)

[przed.livejournal.com]

Well, that's edged me even further over into the yes camp. Especially the part about the preserve needing funds.

We leave this morning! Can't quite believe it's really time.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I hadn't even considered this would be A Thing. I think I'll definitely make the decision once I'm there and can judge how things are set up. The preserve getting the funds and the baby pandas being generally okay with the process will be the deciding factors.