POLITICIANS north and south of the Border are calling on Edinburgh Zoo to halt its plan to add giant pandas to its animal collection.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) hopes to lease two giant pandas from a research centre in China for exhibition and breeding in the Capital.
But opponents say efforts to save the species from extinction should focus on preserving pandas' habitat as those in captivity are very unlikely to ever be released into the wild.
Scottish Green MSP Robin Harper has tabled a motion to the Scottish Parliament and Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock has tabled an Early Day Motion at Westminster expressing concern at the move.
Mr Harper said: "The Scottish Green Party support efforts to conserve giant pandas, but we are seriously concerned that the proposal to attempt captive breeding for re-introduction into the wild has little prospect of success.
"We would far rather see the RZSS working in collaboration with their Chinese counterparts in China, investing with them in extending giant panda habitats and maintenance.
"Restoration of habitat is now the major issue, and far and away the best way forward for giant pandas."
Conservation groups report that the wild giant panda population is a little larger than had previously been thought, at around 1600, and that conservation of their bamboo forest habitat is the best way to improve their numbers in the wild.
Ross Minett of Advocates for Animals said: "Edinburgh Zoo seems to be putting money, visitor numbers and the prestige of having unusual animals in its collection above concerns for animal welfare and conservation.
"If Edinburgh Zoo wishes to help giant pandas, this should be by supporting in situ conservation in Chinese panda reserves, along with moves to preserve the animals' natural habitat.
"To make the provision of support for such projects dependent on the acquisition of animals for exhibition in a Scottish zoo is, in our opinion, unethical.
"We hope that political opposition to the zoo's plans to acquire giant pandas will put a stop to this misguided plan."
The full article contains 351 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
