Since Mei Xiang lost her cub in September, the National Zoo has experienced an outpouring of sympathy from people around the world. Soon the Zoo will decide whether its future plans will include Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, or whether it will trade one or both of them for younger, more fertile "specimens"
The Zoo has been Mei Xiang's and Tian Tian's home for 12 years, since they were age 2 and 3, respectively. They are beloved members of the Washington community, the national community, and a community of panda lovers from all over the world. They should be allowed to live out their lives at the National Zoo, whether they produce a cub or not. It is not in their best interest to tear them away from the only home they have known for their entire adult lives so that the National Zoo can breed another panda cub.
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian cannot speak for themselves -- it is up to those of us who love them to stand up for their best interests. Please sign the petition so that the Smithsonian Institution will know that that we who love these pandas are united as one loud voice in our request -- keep Mei Xiang and Tian Tian at the National Zoo!
Dear Secretary Clough,
Since Mei Xiang lost her cub in September, the National Zoo has experienced an outpouring of sympathy from people around the world. Soon the Zoo will decide whether its future plans include Mei Xiang and Tian Tian -- whether to try to breed Mei Xiang another time, or to send one or both of these pandas back to China in exchange for younger, more fertile "specimens".
The Zoo has been Mei Xiang's and Tian Tian's home for twelve years, since they were age 2 and 3, respectively. They are beloved members of the Washington community, the national community, and a community of online panda lovers from all over the world. As caretaker of these animals, the National Zoo's primary responsibility is to base its decisions about their future on what is best for them, not on what is best for the Zoo or the panda breeding program. Whether they produce another cub or not, I believe that is in the best interest of both of these pandas to remain at the Zoo for the rest of their lives, if China will so permit.
Throughout its history, the Smithsonian Institution has been known for its integrity, responsibility and creativity. While I understand that the Zoo is eager to participate in a panda breeding program, I believe it must explore alternatives for advancing this objective that do not include "trading in" Mei Xiang and Tian Tian for other pandas. Please instruct the Zoo to think creatively about how to achieve its goals while keeping both Mei Xiang and Tian Tian in Washington.
