Mama Panda and Her Bundle of Joy

If you recall the state of the world around 20-30 years ago, we were worried about giant pandas. They wouldn't mate in captivity, and on the off chance a panda got pregnant, she didn't take care of her baby. Scientists figured that either we didn't know enough about pandas to manage them properly, or pandas are just stupid and might be doomed to extinction no matter what we do. How things have changed! Panda research at the Chengdu research center led to changes in panda management, and a great leap in the captive panda population. Pandas have developed their natural maternal instinct along the way. It was once difficult to get panda mothers to pay attention to their babies at all, and now it's hard to distract them long enough to take the panda cub for his veterinary examination. It's heartwarming to see a mama and baby having this much fun together, no matter how clumsy they are. But luckily, pandas aren't the brightest creatures on earth, so the temptation of a treat finally gets mama to loosen up just enough to whisk the cub away for his exam. -via Born in Space