Last Sunday, I was aimlessly browsing online, suddenly a website pop-up overlaid my screen.

“Oho,” I said with some annoyance. I was about to close it, but suddenly a cute, cuddly panda munching a long stalk of bamboo appeared.

“Ni hao!” it said.

Looking at the black-and-white creature on my screen, I knew it would be futile to go back to my random surfing. Insects, birds and animals approached me for one reason only … they wished to be interviewed and wanted the world to know more about them, and the dangers they are facing because of human activities.

“Hello there, Mr Panda!” I said. “I hope you speak English. We won’t get far if you keep chatting in Chinese.”

“Ni hao means hello,” said my new guest.

“I am also very pleased to meet you,” I replied.

The panda nonchalantly kept on munching his bamboo stalk. I stared at it in silence.

“Err, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?” I finally asked.

“Well, as you can see, I am a panda,” it said, chewing on bamboo. “There are only two to three species of pandas in the world so, to be more precise, I am a giant panda or panda bear. We are mostly white, with black patches around our legs, eyes and ears. We are found exclusively in China, just like our cousins the Qinling pandas. They are dark brown and light brown, rather than black and white. But their species is slowly disappearing. Hardly 200-300 Qinling pandas are left in the world.

“Oh, how terrible!” I exclaimed. “And what about the third species?”

“They are the red pandas. They are much smaller in size with a reddish, rusty tint. We prefer to live in bamboo forests, but red pandas like to live on rocky and hilly terrain. You can find them in China, Nepal and Bhutan.”

“So, what’s a day in your life like?” I asked curiously.

“Well, my days are pretty relaxed, you know. I start by munching on some bamboo shoots. They’re my favourite! Then, I might take a leisurely stroll through the bamboo grove, maybe climb a tree or two. After that, it’s nap time. We pandas love our naps!”

“Lucky you!” I said a bit enviously. “Sounds like a very laid-back lifestyle. What’s your favourite thing about living in a bamboo forest?”

“Oh, definitely the abundance of bamboo. It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet for me! We’re not particularly keen on hunting. Bamboo keeps us well-fed and gives us all the energy we need. Plus, it’s delicious!”

“That sounds delightful! Now, let’s talk about your unique black and white fur. Why do pandas have such distinctive colouring?

“Our black and white fur is our trademark!” it said proudly. “It helps us blend in with the snow and rocky terrain in the mountains. The black patches help absorb heat from the sun, while the white fur helps us stay camouflaged. It’s like nature’s perfect tuxedo.”

“And what about the challenges that come with being a panda?”

“Well, finding enough bamboo is always a concern. I eat a lot, so I need a good supply. Habitat loss is a big issue for us pandas, and it’s something that I worry about.”

“Are there any predators that prey upon you?” I asked.

“We, adult pandas, are generally safe from predators because of our size, strength and solitary nature. We are not aggressive by nature and prefer to avoid conflict, but, if threatened, we can stand on our hind legs to appear larger and more intimidating. We can also growl, snarl or charge at the predator to scare it away. The thick bamboo forests we inhabit also provide good cover, making it difficult for predators to approach us unnoticed.

Our young cubs remain vulnerable until they grow larger and stronger. Leopards, jackals and snow leopards prey on panda cubs if they are left alone or if they stray too far from their mothers.

However, poaching, habitat destruction and deforestation remain the biggest threats to the panda population. Conservation efforts have been successful to some extent, but habitat loss and fragmentation still pose significant challenges.”

“Err, what do you mean by fragmentation?’ I asked with a puzzled look.

“Tch, tch, how can you take care of your planet if you don’t know about fragmentation and its effect on wildlife?” it said, looking at me with cute, sad eyes.

“Fragmentation is the process by which large, continuous habitats are broken into smaller patches. It is commonly caused by human activities such as urban development, farming, fencing and road and railway construction. Fragmentation disrupts the natural landscape. It creates barriers between habitats, which has a very negative effect on wildlife and ecosystems. We are more exposed to predators at habitat edges and struggle to find food, water or shelter in smaller, isolated patches.”

“Oh!” was all I could say. As always, I felt a little ashamed about our lack of respect and empathy for nature and hurried on to my next question.

“But your species is very popular worldwide. People find you incredibly cute. How do you feel about being such beloved creatures?” I asked.

“We pandas are flattered by all the attention we get!” it beamed at me.

“It’s nice to know that people care about our conservation and want to protect our habitat. In fact, China’s dedication to panda conservation serves as a model for wildlife protection. It shows that with sustained effort and commitment, it is possible to save a species from the brink of extinction.”

“And we repay these efforts by being a symbol of goodwill for China. China sends giant pandas to other countries to help strengthen diplomatic ties. This is known as ‘panda diplomacy’. Think of us as bamboo-munching diplomats and ambassadors.”

“And that’s not all. Tourists from around the world visit panda reserves and sanctuaries, contributing to China’s tourism industry. Our presence helps boost the local economy in regions where panda reserves are located. We are also seen as a symbol of peace and harmony. Our black and white colours represent the yin and yang in Chinese philosophy, which symbolise balance and unity. And of course, when bamboo forests are preserved for us, many other species also thrive which is good for the ecosystem.”

My head was spinning by this time … isn’t it amazing how just one species of animal kingdom can boost a country’s diplomacy, tourism, economy and ecology?

“One last thing. I’m sure many people are curious about this — do pandas really enjoy rolling down hills like we often see in videos?

“Oh, absolutely! Rolling down hills is so much fun. It’s a great way to play and show off our agility. Plus, it just feels good. You should try it sometime!

“Err, no thank you. I don’t think that would be a very good idea at my age,” I said firmly.

“Finally, do you have any words of wisdom or advice for Young World readers?

“Of course. It’s simple, really,” it said, after munching some bamboo silently for a while. “Respect and preserve nature. The more you take care of the environment, the more you’re taking care of all the amazing creatures that live within it, like us pandas. It’s about finding a balance between your needs and the needs of the natural world. So, let’s all work together to ensure a better future for all living things.”

“And so farewell for now, and I wish you peace and safety,” said my burly guest before rolling off to find some more bamboo stalks.

Fun facts

• Pandas eat for around 10-16 hours a day and can consume up to 84 pounds (38 kg) of bamboo daily!

• Panda cubs are incredibly tiny at birth and can fit in your hand.

• The giant panda is the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and one of the most recognised conservation icons in the world.

• In the wild, giant pandas typically live around 15-20 years, but in captivity, they can live up to 30 years due to better medical care and a steady food supply.

• China only loans pandas to overseas zoos with an annual fee of up to $1 million which is used for conservation projects locally. At the end of the lease term, pandas are returned to China and any cubs born overseas are also sent back!

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 21st, 2024