18/12/2008 05:49:00
Gordon Brown has shown support to bring two Giant Pandas into Edinburgh Zoo, making it the only zoo in the UK to care for the endangered animals. A proposition to bring the animals Scotland's capital was put forth earlier this year.
Mr Brown wrote a letter to zoo owners, stating, "The government strongly supports international co-operation to promote the conservation of the world's wildlife.
"We therefore welcome the progress which the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has made in its discussions with the Chinese authorities and wish you continuing success in bringing these discussions to a satisfactory conclusion."
Chief executive David Windmill responded to Brown's letter in an interview with BBC News, stating: "The process of bringing giant pandas to Scotland is a long and detailed one that requires political co-operation at the highest level, so having the support of our Prime Minister is essential.
However, the move is not supported by all. Ross Minett, director of campaigns at Advocates for Animals, said that if Edinburgh Zoo wanted to help the Giant Pandas, they should focus on supporting conservation in Chinese panda reserves, as well as protecting and preserving the animals' natural habitat in the mountain ranges of central China, in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.
The wild population of Giant Pandas is currently said to be about 1,500, although experts are not yet sure how May's devastating earthquake affected numbers.
The pandas destined for Edinburgh Zoo are from the Wolong Breeding Centre in Sichuan Province, which is near the epicentre of the quake.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which also owns the Highland Wildlife Park in Inverness-shire, anticipates receiving the pandas on loan from the Chinese authorities in 2010.
