I'll have to look into the panda deal. On the surface, it is definitely questionable, but I do know that some zoos do "rent" or receive them on loan for breeding purposes. If the zoo already has a female for example, they may want a male for a short period to attempt to breed, hopefully helping the species survival plan, then they send the male back or onto another zoo. They loan or "rent" the pandas because it cuts down on poaching; you can't just buy a panda from China, but you can request to house one that technically belongs to the Chinese government (oh how I love when politics get into the animal business rolls eyes). But we actually do something similar with red wolves; our wolves belong to the federal government (they are extinct in the wild), but we house and care for them in their stead to protect the species.
This could be advantageous for the zoo, China, and the animals if carried out right. The zoo gets increased business because pandas are a crowd pleaser, the Chinese government is paid AND helping with breeding efforts of a native endangered species, and the pandas get an opportunity to mate and help replenish their numbers in a (hopefully) quality facility (although it usually has to be a top-notch place to be permitted for pandas!).
I'm sorry, I don't remember which zoo it was, but definately one of the big names. I also don't know if they had other Pandas already.
I do agree that it is in the interest of preserving the Panda species to run breeding programs. However, the enormous sum of 1 mio per year only for renting one makes it smell much like a money making scheme rather than a serious preservation effort. If zoos make the effort (and I´m sure thats not cheap as well) to provide a adequate habitat for the Pandas and participate in the breeding project, that should be enough to receive a Panda. At the end of the day, its the Chinese's fault that the Panda is endangered in the first place.
Its like when you are drowning, and someone comes to pull you out of the water, you say he has to pay you $100 first.
Agreed. Once the government gets involved, things get suspicious in more ways than one, but especially financially. Hopefully, at least a little good can come from it.