KUALA LUMPUR: Animal rights activists in Malaysia have voiced their concern that the pandas sent as gifts by China as an attempt to boost diplomatic relations between the two countries face hardship and possible death. The activists cited the government's potential inability to house the two animals, and worry that the pandas, an endangered species, may not find a proper home in the country. “I am definitely worried over what is going to happen next for the pandas,” activist and university student Mohira Hassan told Bikyamasr.com. “They should not have come in the first place,” she added. Their concerns have been echoed by others as well, even experts. The Wetlands Park in Putrajaya, which has been announced as the preferred location for the two pandas, would need to construct a proper indoor habitat for the two baby pandas, which are of opposite genders. The enclosure needs to be air-conditioned as the adorable but endangered mountainous animals are not used to living in a tropical climate. “It must include a playground for the pandas to exercise and a den for them to sleep in. There must also be a back-up for the air-conditioning system as the pandas cannot wait for it to be repaired if the air-condition breaks down. “It is better for a local keeper to head to China to be trained and be with the pandas for at least six months to study its habits, likes and dislikes before they are brought here,” experts said. For now, the questions remain over how Malaysia will care for the pandas, and any hiccup could prove to be fatal for the animals.
