Panda Pandemonium June 26, 2012

• Happy Panda!

  Full Manual Archivist has added a photo to the pool:

  

  Here was have a very happy panda, out for a stroll in the rain. Isn't he/she (I forget which) cute?
  
  I think this panda was pleased that it got separated from it's significant other. Apparently, they don't get on very well and tend to fight instead of mate. That's the opposite instinct this dwindling species should have.
  
  Any-who, you can go see these adorable creatures in Edinburgh Zoo, for the time being. Remember to book ahead to avoid disappointment, and make sure the weather is nicer than when we went!
  
  See where this picture was taken. [?]

  Tian Tian and Yang Guang join forces with Dennis the Menace in the Beano - Stv.tv

  The giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo are to star on the cover of the Beano.

  Tian Tian and Yang Guang appear alongside Dennis the Menace and Gnasher in a special edition of the popular DC Thomson comic.

  In it, mischievous Dennis and his side-kick visit the zoo and pick up some tips from the pandas to help them trip up Walter, Dennis’ sworn enemy.

  The animals are the latest in a long line of famous faces to star in the Beano, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Barack Obama, Steven Gerrard and the Queen.

  Mike Stirling, editor of The Beano, said: "Dennis & Gnasher’s wild behaviour brought complete panda-monium to Edinburgh Zoo when they gate-crashed to invite Tian Tian and Yang Guang to become our first ever panda cover stars.

  "Our giant panda pals were happy to pose for The Beano’s artists, and actually turned out to be giant pranksters, sharing a few wild menacing tricks of their own. Dennis uses these to bamboo-zle sworn enemy, Walter in the special comic strip celebrating the visit.

  "I’m sure the keepers at Edinburgh Zoo were relieved when Dennis and Gnasher left to head back to Beanotown, although they were probably still scrubbing the tomato splats off the pandas’ enclosure for a few days to come. It also was probably the first time ever that the tiger enclosure had resounded to the echo of whoopee cushions instead of roars."

  In the issue, which goes on sale on Wednesday, readers can win a VIP panda experience. Every child visiting the zoo over the next few weeks will get a free edition of the comic.

  Sharon Simpson, from the zoo, said: "Edinburgh Zoo was delighted to be approached by The Beano to create a special panda edition. Being immortalised in this iconic way is testament to the popularity and ‘celebrity’ of our giant panda pair – Tian Tian and Yang Guang.

  "Since their arrival they have fast become central to Scottish culture and the latest honour bestowed upon them and the RZSS is a real privilege. We hope panda and The Beano fans everywhere enjoy this special issue."

  Pandas immortalised in The Beano - The Press Association

  Pandas immortalised in The Beano

  The UK's only pandas have been captured in cartoon form in an edition of The Beano comic.

  Tian Tian and Yang Guang enjoy an adventure with Dennis the Menace and Gnasher in an episode at Edinburgh Zoo.

  The giant pandas arrived in Scotland from Ya'an reserve in Chengdu, China on December 4 last year and have proved a popular attraction at the zoo.

  Mike Stirling, editor-in-chief of The Beano and BeanoMax, said: "Dennis & Gnasher's wild behaviour brought complete panda-monium to Edinburgh Zoo when they gate-crashed to invite Tian Tian and Yang Guang to become our first-ever panda cover stars.

  "Our giant panda pals were happy to pose for The Beano's artists, and actually turned out to be giant pranksters, sharing a few wild menacing tricks of their own."

  The edition is available from June 27.

  Sharon Simpson, head of marketing for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: "Edinburgh Zoo was delighted to be approached by The Beano to create a special panda edition. Being immortalised in this iconic way is testament to the popularity and celebrity of our giant panda pair Tian Tian and Yang Guang."