Zoos in dilemma amid rising costs of panda

Want China Times, Hung Chao-Chun and Staff Reporter 2014-09-21

Tian Tian, a female panda loaned to Edinburg Zoo with her male partner Yang
Guang, enjoys bamboo shoots in their residence. (Photo/ Xinhua)

The possible pregnancy of the female panda Tian Tian in the Edinburg Zoo has brought to light discussions of "pandanomics," as the cost to maintain giant pandas have surged over the years, reports our Chinese-language sister newspaper Want Daily.

Britain's The Guardian compared giant pandas with Premier League footballers — they both cost a fortune to purchase and maintain but can guarantee crowds. If Tian Tian gives birth soon, the zoo's finances will be secured because the cub will draw millions of visitors. But if the animal is not pregnant, then the zoo will face declining public interest, coupled with rising costs and financial difficulties.

The couple in the zoo, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, arrived in 2011. Since then, the number of visitors has increased by over four million. Nevertheless, from the experience in other zoos in the world that earnings will decline if no cubs pop out on a Chinese panda loan.

The Edinburg Zoo pays ￡600,000 (US$978,000) a year for the 10-year rent of the pair and spent ￡300,000 (US$489,000) building a home for the pandas. The costs for fresh bamboo shoots, which are imported from France, have gone up 40% since 2011.

Cubs born must be returned to China after two years. Should any one die due to human factors, the zoo must pay ￡300,000.

Washington, Atlanta, Memphis and San Diego Zoos are said to have spent more on keeping the pandas than what they received from exhibiting them.

It may be time that zoos worldwide rethink their giant panda rentals with China.

The latest research by Oxford University has concluded China's recent panda loans were all linked to trade. According to The Guardian, the Edinburg deal coincided with a ￡2.6 billion (US$4.3 billion) contract on petrochemical and renewable technology, Jaguar cars and salmon businesses between the two countries.

Panda pairs were loaned to Canada and Australia following uranium, oil, and minerals deals. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Macao received their pandas after signing free-trade agreements with China, said the report.

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