October 23, 2024
Miles: 17.94. Total: 7,988 miles.
Generally, I don't do zoos, because I think it's cruel to kidnap, tranport, and lock up animals so that humans can ogle them. But I had heard that the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding treats its animals much better than a zoo, and so I gave it a look.
The facilities were beautiful, and the animals were extremely snuggly. I must admit I cried a bit when I saw my first chubbuwumpus chomping on her bamboo.
But what moved me the most was just how stoked people are to see pandas. Some dressed up for the occasion in their Sunday finest or black and white lewks. Many more, including full--grown adult human men, wore panda headbands.
Their joy was contagious, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Which is saying a lot, as it seemed that all 1.4 billion Chinese citizens turned out today.
I still hate to see animals held in captivitiy. But the pandas at least seemed free to express their full emotional range.
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