Only 1,864 Giant Pandas are left in the wild. Many pandas live in zoo-like captivity for conservation reasons. Giant Pandas are rapidly decreasing because of habitat loss. Because bamboo is such a sought-out material, the bamboo in the giant forests where these pandas live are chopped down and used. It takes relatively little time for bamboo to grow back, but it is still an important part of our ecosystem today.
On a brighter note, let’s talk about Hua Hua.
He Hua, nicknamed Hua Hua, was born July 4, 2020, a time when things were rough for Pandas and humans alike. Because of the time of her birth, Hua Hua received little popularity until recently. She is considered one of China’s “Celebrity Pandas” because of her gentle demeanor and very notable appearance. People also call her a “rice ball” because her appearance heavily resembles one of these popular foods.
She currently lives at the Chengdu Research Base, but videos of her and her distinct attitude are seen everyday on social media like TikTok. Hua Hua translates to “lotus” when sent through a translator, which heavily sums up her personality. She’s gentle, never fighting other pandas when they take her food, and she’s always loopy and happy to be there, even though she’s in captivity and not in nature. Lotuses symbolize strength, rebirth, purity in nature, and are always characterized by their natural beauty, which is something that Hua Hua could never have too much of. Although Hua Hua has some developmental delays, this doesn’t make her any less sweet or kind.
Whether Hua Hua is sleeping and snug, or if she’s bouncing around like she usually does, this little diva is here to stay with us, and she isn’t planning on going anywhere anytime soon.
