Brian Kinane updates us on the new Baixiongping-

Rewind October 2002- Wolong, a successful breeding program has led to a dramatic rise in the number of Giant Pandas ex-situ. As more and more of these fluffy charismatic bears stake claim here, competition for space and the ongoing threat of a disease epidemic wiping out the entire population, strikes fear into the hearts of a group of Chinese bear enthusiasts. The solution, split the captive Giant Pandas of Wolong into two separate populations, henceforth, construction began on a new Panda centre, Bifengxia city.

Fast forward fourteen years and I find myself perched on a railing as Lo Bo and his team of attentive keepers armed with bamboo shoots and carrots, release Bai Yang into his new improved enclosure, a panda haven you might say, welcome to the grand re-opening of Baixiongping.

Giant pandas naturally live in the mountainous areas of central China surrounded by cool, wet, dense bamboo forests. For pandas in captivity it is important that they spend their time in an environment that closely mimics that of their natural habitat. Baixiongping is designed to do just that. Each element has a purpose – from helping the pandas to stay cool in hot weather to giving them a place to hide when they need to shy away from all those prying eyes. There are rock and tree structures perfect for climbing, grottoes, pools, streams and mist machines for keeping cool, not to mention various species of shrub, trees and bamboo to give it that homely feel.

• Air conditioned den, to provide a cool respite.
• A water feature that doubles as a pool, offers refreshing dips on hot days.
• A fog shelter that creates a misty retreat from the heat.
• Low trees and shrubs encourage climbing behavior.
• A small ravine encasing the enclosure provides cover.

Baixiongping currently accommodates seven bears including Yi Bao and Hui Hui, there’s never been a better time to visit and if you’re just lucky enough you might just see Ying Hua’s little one, half way up a tree, eyes fixated on you while you fumble through your bag for your camera.