Giant Panda Gala Kicks Off $25 Million Campaign
Asian Week | The Voice of Asian America
Written by Valerie Evangelista
May 06, 2005
The City of Oakland and the Oakland China Wildlife Preservation Foundation (OCWP) have kicked off a new fundraising campaign to construct a habitat and provide ongoing care for two giant pandas. In March, the Chinese government gave the initial approval to loan two adult giant pandas to Oakland. "The project began with a dream," said Alexis Wong, president of OCWP. "It is a monumental event to have the last pair of giant pandas [loaned] to North America."
In addition to having a large Chinese population, Oakland was chosen for its role as a sister city, and as a major international trading partner. But City Council member and President of the Oakland Giant Panda Foundation Henry Chang underscored some non-Western qualities of Oakland as well.
"Oakland has so much to offer." Chang pointed out, "The Oakland Zoo has good feng shui." He added that the giant pandas will enhance the Bay Area with a greater understanding of the natural world, enrich cultural exchanges and ties, and increase tourism. Another goal of the project is to strengthen the city's relationship with China, which would lead to sponsorship opportunities for Bay Area companies that seek to ingratiate themselves with the Chinese market.
Oakland has also teamed up with UC Davis to focus on genetic issues and reproductive habits of the creatures. Dr. Joel Parrott of the Oakland Zoo stated that the Panda project would lead to improved research, educational and conservation programs.
$10 million is needed in initial funding and up to $25 million is needed to finance the project for the 10 years the pandas reside in Oakland. Money raised will be used to construct world-class enclosures for the animals and to maintain the pandas' living expenses, which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
The City of Oakland and the Oakland Zoo have been working on the Oakland Panda Project since 1999. They predict that construction of the exhibit will be completed by September and pandas be shipped in October. For more information, please contact Oakland Giant Panda Foundation at (510) 531-7887.