Researchers dress as pandas to remove human interaction

This would be kind of creepy if it wasn't so totally awesome and somewhat adorable. Check out a whole round up of photos on Buzzfeed. Thanks to Trevor for the tip!

Want a panda? It's going to cost you!

Mental_Floss has a whole, interesting breakdown on how much it costs to have a panda. $1,000,000--just for starters! It's interesting to see the figures.

Anarchopanda hugs

If you are anywhere near Montreal, join the student protests and you may just receive a hug from Anarchopanda, as the author of this article does in the photo above. Or see him in action in this video:


Thanks to long-time Panda Correspondent Trevor for the tip!

Sexy Panda Lady

Panda Correspondent Jason turns our attention toward the controversy currently going on in Britain, where people are upset that China's panda, Tian Tian, was included in the BBC's list of "Faces of the year 2011". Take a look, I don't think they were far off the mark. Tian Tian is one good looking panda:

Pandas return to U.K. after long last

After a 17 year hiatus pandas touch down in Scotland.

Thanks to Trevor for forwarding!

Did you ever expect you'd hear this headline?

"Panda Poop Could be the Key to Cheap and Efficient Biofuel Production"

According to this article (duly reported by Panda Correspondent Trevor): "researchers presented a study identifying panda poop as a source of enzyme-producing bacteria that breaks down plant materials in a way that is useful for biofuel production."

Dreaming about pandas (or, when you know you've had a panda blog for too long)

So, last night, I had a dream. Panda blog co-founder Devora and I were roaming around town when we stumbled upon a young Asian family--Mom, Dad, and two-year-old quadruplets--and they were all dressed up in panda suits (for some occasion or the other), masks and all. It was too adorable for life, and of course we stopped them to take a picture for panda blog. ALAS, it was a dream, and no such photograph exists. Luckily panda correspondent Trevor shared this photo recently, so the post needn't go pictureless.

ALERT! Rogue panda on rampage

An anonymous person in Fort Valley Road, Arizona, has become my new hero. The prankster hacked a road sign, previously warning drivers about no left turns at the intersection, to instead warn of a "rogue panda on rampage." Authorities ensure us there is no rogue panda to be concerned about, but I'd keep my eye out anyway, if I were you.

Via Arizona Daily Sun.

2011 = Year of the Panda Census

Every 10 years, much like the human census, a panda census is conducted. Unlike the human census, however, the panda census is conducted by sending people out to collect panda poo-poo for DNA analysis.

Kudos go out to Panda Correspondents Milad & Trevor, who both made sure we were aware of this story.

Panda facts

mental_floss has a whole round-up of panda facts--check them out.

Mostly about pigs

but he does mention, at the end, that pandas could be used next. Watch out!

Pandas for lease!

China used to give pandas out as gifts, but now--they're out on lease! Zoos that hold pandas pay an annual fee for holding them, as well as a premium if the pandas have cubs.

Thanks Trevor! Via Marginal Revolution.

Political Panda

Stumbled across this Twitter feed today.

What's black & white & protested all over?

A panda rip-off, that's what!


From what I can garner from the text below the above (hah) photo on Flickr, an artist reappropriated the design from this "When Pandas Attack" Threadless T-shirt and displayed it without any sort of credit in a gallery show (as you can see in the background above). So, a group of people protested the act by showing up at the gallery en masse, wearing the original design (or an original panda suit, take your pick).

(The show seems to be rather panda-themed, in the whole--it's up at Gavin Brown's Enterprise in NYC, if you want to take a looksee.)

Panda Updates from the San Diego Zoo

For some fun, informational facts, check out the San Diego Zoo's write up about pandas. Their ZooNooz magazine this month reports that August is a very popular birth month for pandas. There is also an article about the advances in panda conservation.

bbc man thinks pandas are better off dead!

animal new york has the story, as does the awl (thanks, trevor!).

ps watch the video embedded in the second link hahaha poor panda.