pandas

Panda Takes ‘Tree Hugger’ Too Literally

By Anna Washenko, FluffPo Correspondent

Eyewitnesses have confirmed to The Fluffington Post that for the past week, baby panda Chen has been seen tenderly embracing every tree that he comes across. 

“I’ve always been impressed with how seriously he thinks about our natural resources; you should see how fastidious he is about picking up litter around the Bifengxia Panda Center,” Jin Liao, associate director of development at the center said via email. “I told Chen that the world would be a better place if there were more tree huggers like him. I just assumed he knew what the phrase meant.”

Friends and family haven’t decided whether or not to tell Chen that being a “tree hugger,” in the modern context, doesn’t actually involve literally hugging trees.

“On the one hand, he’s super adorable when he does it,” said Liao. “On the other hand, he’s gotten stuck up in a tree four times this week, so it’s starting to become a nuisance.”

Via explore.org.

Love animals as much as we do? Check out explore.org’s network of live cams on bears, baby birds, puppies, kittens and more. 

Panda Safe After High-Stakes Tree Rescue

by Scott Friedstein, FluffPo Correspondent

According to sources, Ming the panda is safe on the ground this morning after becoming trapped in a tire swing at least three feet from the ground. Witnesses tell The Fluffington Post that her brother, Bao Lao, quickly assessed the situation and sprung into action.

“She’s in that tire swing all the time,” says Richard Beck. “I knew she was eventually going to get stuck in it. It’s a good thing Bao Lao was around, because I definitely wasn’t going up there.”

The three-year-old panda was shaken, but quickly returned to her normal panda activities. 

“She went to sleep,” says Beck. “I don’t blame her, though – I’d be exhausted too if that happened to me.”

Via explore.org.

Love animals as much as we do? Check out explore.org’s network of live cams on bears, baby birds, puppies, kittens and more.

Fan Favorite Panda Voted Off of ‘Panda Island’ Reality Series

Warning: this post contains spoilers for those who haven’t seen last night’s episode of Panda Island.

Last night provided the biggest shock of the season on Panda Island, the latest mega-hit reality show from Marc Burnett. After two hours of deliberation, the Elder Council sent fan favorite panda, Chubs, to the Hibernation Villa, ending his 5-week run on the program.

“Everyone loves Chubs,” said Entertainment Weekly television writer Amelia Scoggins, “so it was a bit of a shock to see him voted off so early.”

On the other hand, said Scoggins, Chubs was a drain on his team. The bear had finished last in the four of the previous six Ursine Challenges. 

Fans took to social media to voice their displeasure.

“Noooooooo! Not Chubs! #BoycottPI” read one tweet, using a popular protest hashtag that was tweeted 74,000 times, according to social media analytics firm Crimson Hexagon.

“FUUUUUUU! i hate the elder council. )): #ChubsForever” read another. It was retweeted 460 times.

“It will be interesting to see if the show takes a ratings dip next week,” said Scoggins. “Smart money says no, though. People just can’t get enough of Panda Island.”

Via explore.org.

Love animals as much as we do? Check out explore.org’s network of live panda cameras.