WRS extends deadline for nation-wide search of new panda names
The nation-wide competition by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) to name the two giant pandas which will arrive in Singapore next year has been extended to 31 December 2010 due to overwhelming responses. Over a thousand entries have been submitted since June and WRS has received many requests from the public to extend the deadline.
In response to the high level of interest, WRS is extending the deadline of the naming competition to allow more people to submit their entries at www.pandas.com.sg. The winner will win a three-night stay at any Ascott serviced residence around the world sponsored by CapitaLand, the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda collaborative programme, and be the one of the first to view the Giant Panda exhibit at the River Safari when it opens in 2012. The River Safari, Asia’s first river-themed wildlife park, is the latest addition to WRS’ portfolio of award winning parks which includes Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and the Singapore Zoo.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Sino-Singapore relations and the pair of black and white envoys emphasize the close diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. They are also part of a joint collaboration between Wildlife Reserves Singapore and China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) to raise public awareness of wildlife conservation and develop a breeding programme for these critically endangered animals. Singapore is the seventh country to receive giant pandas from China since 1994.
Suggested names for the furry creatures must be easy to pronounce, symbolic in meaning and reflect the close relationship between Singapore and China. The entries must also be in Chinese, with the option of an English, Malay or Tamil translation. There is a participation fee of SGD2 which will be contributed in full to the Giant Panda Conservation Fund for the pandas’ upkeep.
Source: http://www.pandas.com.sg/newsroom.html
