I NOTE that, alas, Tian Tian is not expecting after all ("Panda is no longer pregnant, says zoo", The Herald, September 23).
What a shame.
There may be those who think the sojourn of the two pandas in Scotland is a marvellous diplomatic gesture by China. Let us remind ourselves pandas are apparently second only to elephants in maintenance costs, and then there are the annual payments to the Chinese of £700,000. It has been reported that if Sweetie and Sunshine were to get together productively, the resultant cub would be required to return to China after two years.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland must be earnestly hoping, for financial as well as prestige reasons, that next time around the patter of tiny black and white feet will be heard.
Ian W Thomson,
38 Kirkintilloch Road,
Lenzie.
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