The Memphis Zoo is a zoo in Midtown, Memphis, Tennessee , United States. There are no Tennessee Tuesdays in March at the Memphis Zoo. It is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 different species . Created in April 1906, the zoo has been a major tenant of Overton Park for more than 100 years. The land currently designated to the Memphis Zoo was defined by the Overton Park master plan in 1888, it is owned by the City of Memphis. The zoo is set on 76 acres (31 ha), of which approximately 55 acres (22 ha) are developed.
139-553: In 2008, the Memphis Zoo was ranked "#1 Zoo in the U.S." by TripAdvisor . The ranking was based on visitor opinions. Since the early 1990s, the Memphis Zoo has invested over $ 77 million for renovation and expansion. The zoo's animal inhabitants reside in three zones with 19 exhibits, such as Teton Trek , Northwest Passage and China. The Memphis Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The zoo
278-418: A North American porcupine , black bears and sandhill cranes . The exhibit's trail provides visitors with an underwater look at the bears' fishing pond and a prominent overlook atop the 25-foot (7.6 m) replica of Yellowstone's Firehole Falls . Home to the zoo's polar bears , this $ 23 million exhibit opened on March 1, 2006, and features an underwater viewing building, sea lion observation bubble and
417-483: A WWF lawsuit , the United States Fish and Wildlife Service only allows US zoos to import a panda if the zoo can ensure China channels more than half of its loan fee into conservation efforts for giant pandas and their habitat. In May 2005, China offered a breeding pair to Taiwan . The issue became embroiled in cross-Strait relations – due to both the underlying symbolism and technical issues such as whether
556-501: A carnivoran , the giant panda's diet is primarily herbivorous , with approximately 99% of its diet consisting of bamboo. However, the giant panda still has the digestive system of a carnivore, as well as carnivore-specific genes, and thus derives little energy and little protein from the consumption of bamboo. The ability to break down cellulose and lignin is very weak, and their main source of nutrients comes from starch and hemicelluloses . The most important part of their bamboo diet
695-465: A groundcover of coleus and ornamental sweet potato . The Memphis Zoo sponsors a wide variety of special events with the overall theme— Always Something To Do . These include: Horticultural Tours (periodic), Plant Sale (April), Zoo Boo with its Haunted Forest (October), Zoo Lights with over 1 million holiday lights, Santa, live reindeer, and magic show (November/December), Zoo Rendezvous (September), Zoo Snooze (periodic), and many more. There are also
834-626: A vegetable garden , a cotton patch , and rows of corn provide visitors with some of the essential elements of a southern farm during the growing season. Located across from the Tropical Bird House, the herpetarium is home to the zoo's snakes such as the Burmese python , American alligators , lizards such as the Prehensile-tailed skink , and frogs such as the azure poison dart frog , Bell's horned frog , and milk frog . It includes
973-429: A 25% reduction in workforce. The company also closed offices in downtown Boston and San Francisco. In July 2020, Tripadvisor sold 8 brands to Hopjump: Smarter Travel, Airfarewatchdog, BookingBuddy, OneTime, Oyster.com, Family Vacation Critic, What To Pack, and Holiday Watchdog . On December 8, 2020, China blocked 105 apps, including Tripadvisor, from mobile app stores. The Cyberspace Administration of China stated that
1112-495: A 29-year-old man who was raped by a massage therapist at a resort in the same area, where reviewers had attempted to warn people through reviews on the company's site about criminal incidents that the resorts and local authorities had failed to pursue any criminal or legal action for, only to have those reviews either taken down or declined for posting by Tripadvisor. In October 2015, an ex-hotel manager at Meriton said guests were offered inducements to change ratings they left on
1251-575: A 500-seat amphitheater for daily sea lion shows. This exhibit's theme is a tribute to the First Nations culture in Canada's western province British Columbia , animals that inhabit the Pacific Northwest , and its horticulture. Messages of conservation inspired by Chief Seattle , a famous Native American chief, are sprinkled throughout the exhibit. Six hand-carved totem poles that stand throughout
1390-411: A London-based travel community In 2015, the company acquired Iens, a Dutch restaurant review website; SeatMe, a Dutch table reservation website, ZeTrip, Inc., including its product Rove, a personal journal app that helps users log activities including places they have visited and photos they have taken; Portuguese startup BestTables, and Australian startup Dimmi for $ 25 million. In April 2016,
1529-524: A baby bonobo born in 2005) live in this indoor/outdoor hybrid exhibit across from the China exhibit. The bonobo is endangered and is found in the wild only in the Democratic Republic of Congo . This exhibit reverses the daily cycle of nocturnal animals , giving visitors the chance to see night-dwellers at their most active. The exhibit is developed around a central bat flyway which enables visitors to get
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#17328526182141668-535: A biteforce of 1298.9 Newton (BFQ 151.4) at canine teeth and 1815.9 Newton (BFQ 141.8) at carnassial teeth. Adults measure around 1.2 to 1.9 m (3 ft 11 in to 6 ft 3 in) long, including a tail of about 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in), and 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35 in) tall at the shoulder . Males can weigh up to 160 kg (350 lb). Females are generally 10–20% smaller than males. They weigh between 70 kg (150 lb) and 125 kg (276 lb). The average weight for adults
1807-726: A blatting sound; they achieve peaceful interactions through the emission of this sound. When in oestrus, a female emits a chirp. In hostile confrontations or during fights, the giant panda emits vocalizations such as a roar or growl. On the other hand, squeals typically indicate inferiority and submission in a dispute. Other vocalizations include honks and moans. Giant pandas heavily rely on olfactory communication to communicate with one another. Scent marks are used to spread these chemical cues and are placed on landmarks like rocks or trees. Chemical communication in giant pandas plays many roles in their social situations. Scent marks and odors are used to spread information about sexual status, whether
1946-530: A close-up view of the bats in flight or feeding. Also exhibited are a wide range of other species—from aardvark to wombat .The exhibit also features the Bear cuscus which is featured in only 4 other zoos around the world. This exhibit was specifically built for the Komodo dragon , the largest lizard in the world. The zoo's three dragons share a special exhibit with outdoor and indoor areas allowing them to stay warm during
2085-430: A day through its diet. To prevent poisoning, they have evolved anti-toxic mechanisms to protect themselves. About 80% of the cyanide is metabolized to less toxic thiocyanate and discharged in urine, while the remaining 20% is detoxified by other minor pathways. During the shoot season (April–August), pandas store a large amount of food in preparation for the months succeeding this seasonal period, in which pandas live off
2224-467: A diet of bamboo leaves. The giant panda is a highly specialised animal with unique adaptations, and has lived in bamboo forests for millions of years. The average giant panda eats as much as 9 to 14 kg (20 to 31 lb) of bamboo shoots a day to compensate for the limited energy content of its diet. Ingestion of such a large quantity of material is possible and necessary because of the rapid passage of large amounts of indigestible plant material through
2363-446: A disease caused by an obligate intracellular parasitic protozoan known as Toxoplasma gondii that infects most warm-blooded animals, including humans. They are likely susceptible to diseases from Baylisascaris schroederi , a parasitic nematode known to infect giant panda intestines. This nematode species is known to give pandas baylisascariasi , a deadly disease that kills more wild pandas than any other cause. Additionally,
2502-596: A fee of up to US$ 1,000,000 per year and with the provision that any cubs born during the loan are the property of China. As a result of this change in policy, nearly all the pandas in the world are owned by China, and pandas leased to foreign zoos and all cubs are eventually returned to China. As of 2022, Xin Xin at the Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City, was the last living descendant of the gifted pandas. Since 1998, because of
2641-400: A female is in estrus or not, age, gender, individuality, dominance over territory, and choice of settlement. Giant pandas communicate by excreting volatile compounds, or scent marks, through the anogenital gland. Giant pandas have unique positions in which they will scent mark. Males deposit scent marks or urine by lifting their hind leg, rubbing their backside, or standing in order to rub
2780-439: A female when choosing a mate. For example, age can be useful for a female to determine sexual maturity and sperm quality. Pandas are also able to determine when the signal was placed, further aiding in the quest to find a potential mate. However, chemical cues are not just used for communication between males and females, pandas can determine individuality from chemical signals. This allows them to be able to differentiate between
2919-449: A few Chinese provinces at elevations of up to 3,000 m (9,800 ft). It is solitary and gathers only in mating seasons. It relies on olfactory communication to communicate and uses scent marks as chemical cues and on landmarks like rocks or trees. Females rear cubs for an average of 18 to 24 months. The oldest known giant panda was 38 years old. As a result of farming, deforestation and infrastructural development,
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#17328526182143058-423: A fight. Giant pandas reach sexual maturity between the ages of four and eight, and may be reproductive until age 20. The mating season is between March and May, when a female goes into estrus , which lasts for two or three days and only occurs once a year. When mating, the female is in a crouching, head-down position as the male mounts her from behind. Copulation time ranges from 30 seconds to five minutes, but
3197-444: A key role in each of the zoo's three zones, both within exhibits and along the interconnecting trails. Water features , such as ponds, waterfalls, fountains, and streams, are dominant elements of the overall design, in addition to artificial rock formations which blend into the containment walls of the animals' enclosures. Other key elements of the landscaping are a diverse mix of trees, shrubs, and seasonal herbaceous plants. Most of
3336-448: A kid's activity page. Copies are archived online beginning in 2009. On January 8, 2008, a stray dog entered the Memphis Zoo through a service door and leapt into the tiger exhibit before officials could apprehend it. Zoo staff distracted the tigers, allowing the dog to walk out of the exhibit and survive with several injuries. In May 2009, a zoo keeper was bitten by a Bengal tiger after failing to close two internal safety doors, allowing
3475-452: A mid-to-high density of livestock, as they depress the vegetation. The Tibetan Plateau is the only known area where both giant and red pandas can be found. Although sharing near-identical ecological niches, competition between the two species has rarely been observed. Nearly 50% of their respective distribution overlaps, and successful coexistence is achieved through distinct habitat selection. A captive female died from toxoplasmosis ,
3614-534: A newspaper rose to the top of the site's rankings in Italy. In August 2013, Kenneth Seaton lost a $ 10 million lawsuit against the company in which he claimed that the ranking for his Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee , as "America's dirtiest hotel" was based on unsubstantiated rumors. In September 2011, after receiving a complaint submitted by online investigations company KwikChex ,
3753-583: A nonexistent restaurant named The Shed at Dulwich to the top of Tripadvisor rankings for restaurants in London. In November 2017, Tripadvisor deleted reviews by two women who were allegedly raped at the Iberostar Paraiso Maya in Playa del Carmen in separate incidents 2010 and 2015, one of which involved a hotel security guard. The women said they received assurances from hotel staff that they would contact
3892-591: A platform that syndicates restaurant menus, from its parent company, Endurance International Group , for $ 51 million. It also acquired BookATable from Michelin Guide . In February 2020, the company changed its name from TripAdvisor to Tripadvisor, using a lowercase "a". In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic , Tripadvisor announced 600 layoffs in Canada and the United States and 300 more in other countries as part of
4031-555: A potential partner or someone of the same sex, which could be a potential competitor. Chemical cues, or odors, play an important role in how a panda chooses their habitat. Pandas look for odors that tell them not only the identity of another panda, but if they should avoid them or not. Pandas tend to avoid their species for most of the year, breeding season being the brief time of major interaction. Chemical signaling allows for avoidance and competition . Pandas whose habitats are in similar locations will collectively leave scent marks in
4170-761: A practice known as drip pricing . The rule had come into effect in January of that year. On 12 February 2020, the United Nations published a database of all business enterprises involved in specified activities relating to the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories , including East Jerusalem , and in the Golan Heights . Tripadvisor has been listed on the database in light of its involvement in activities related to "the provision of services and utilities supporting
4309-638: A slide presentation describing the zoo's participation in the frog's recovery program. The exhibit also includes a selection of Crocodiles which includes Dwarf crocodiles , West African slender-snouted crocodiles , and an American alligator . The Round Barn is home to gerenuks , which are known by their extremely long necks. Keepers encourage their foraging behavior by placing tall bamboo stems in their exhibit. This exhibit also houses Abyssinian ground-hornbills , warthogs , red river hogs , Grey crowned crane , nyalas , yellow-backed duikers , dik diks , klipspringers , and dama gazelles . Landscaping plays
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4448-470: A sound and visual display. Over 30 African penguins live across from the zoo's rides area at Penguin Rock. American white pelicans are located nearby. This exhibit was built to resemble an early 1900s farm. It is home to Caspian horses , domestic goats , prairie dogs , domestic chickens , Babydoll sheep , miniature cows , guinea pigs , Pekin ducks and miniature donkeys . In addition to farm animals,
4587-479: A species, the giant panda must have at least two different species available in its range to avoid starvation. While primarily herbivorous, the giant panda still retains decidedly ursine teeth and will eat meat, fish, and eggs when available. In captivity, zoos typically maintain the giant panda's bamboo diet, though some will provide specially formulated biscuits or other dietary supplements. Pandas will travel between different habitats if they need to, so they can get
4726-668: A tiger to enter an unsecured hallway. The tiger, named Kumari, was sedated and safely placed back in her exhibit. TripAdvisor Tripadvisor, Inc. is an American company that operates online travel agencies , comparison shopping websites , and mobile apps with user-generated content . Its namesake brand, Tripadvisor.com, operates in 40 countries and 20 languages, and features approximately 1 billion reviews and opinions on roughly 8 million establishments. The company's other brands include Bokun.io, Cruise Critic , FlipKey , TheFork , Holiday Lettings, Housetrip, Jetsetter, Singleplatform, Niumba , SeatGuru , and Viator. The company
4865-402: A unique location which is termed "scent stations". When pandas come across these scent stations, they are able to identify a specific panda and the scope of their habitat. This allows pandas to be able to pursue a potential mate or avoid a potential competitor. Pandas can assess an individual's dominance status, including their age and size, via odor cues and may choose to avoid a scent mark if
5004-495: A wide assortment of educational activities throughout the year for school-aged children. Exzoobrance is a bimonthly magazine published by the Memphis Zoological Society to keep patrons informed about zoo-related activities and information. Each edition includes a calendar of events, a description of special events, news about educational and conservation programs, information about the animals and their exhibits, and
5143-447: Is sexually dimorphic , with males being typically 10 to 20% larger than females. A thumb is visible on its forepaw, which helps in holding bamboo in place for feeding. It has large molar teeth and expanded temporal fossa to meet its dietary requirements. It can digest starch and is mostly herbivorous with a diet consisting almost entirely of bamboo and bamboo shoots . The giant panda lives exclusively in six montane regions in
5282-407: Is 100 to 115 kg (220 to 254 lb). The giant panda's paw has a digit similar to a thumb and five fingers ; the thumb-like digit – actually a modified sesamoid bone – helps it to hold bamboo while eating. The giant panda's tail, measuring 10 to 15 cm (3.9 to 5.9 in), is the second-longest in the bear family, behind the sloth bear . Despite its taxonomic classification as
5421-558: Is a vulnerable species , threatened by continued habitat loss and fragmentation , and by a very low birthrate, both in the wild and in captivity . Its range is confined to a small portion on the western edge of its historical range, which stretched through southern and eastern China, northern Myanmar , and northern Vietnam . The species is scattered into more than 30 subpopulations of relatively few animals. Building of roads and human settlement near panda habitat, result in population declines. Diseases from domesticated pets and livestock
5560-406: Is a sex hormone found in both males and females; testosterone is the major androgen produced by males. Civetone and decanoic acid are chemicals found in female urine which promote behavioral responses in males; both chemicals are considered giant panda pheromones. Male pandas also secrete chemical signals that include information about their sexual reproductivity and age, which is beneficial for
5699-660: Is based in the United States. However, it later conceded that it could be sued in the UK's jurisdictions. The court ruled that Tripadvisor's terms of use constituted a contract, which was actionable/enforceable by the business being reviewed. The case was found to involve issues relating to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Act of 1977, and these issues were referred to a higher court in Stornoway . The plaintiff eventually dropped
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5838-539: Is headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts . In 2023, Tripadvisor earned 25 percent of its revenues from Expedia Group and Booking Holdings and their subsidiaries, primarily for pay-per-click advertising. Tripadvisor LLC was founded by Stephen Kaufer, Langley Steinert, Nick Shanny, and Thomas Palka in February 2000. Kaufer came up with the idea after being frustrated planning a family vacation. In September 2000, before
5977-444: Is mainly attributed to the panda's avoidance of interspecific competition . The species has been located at elevations of 2,400 to 3,000 m (7,900 to 9,800 ft) above sea level. They frequent habitats with a healthy concentration of bamboos, typically old-growth forests , but may also venture into secondary forest habitats. The Daxiangling Mountain population inhabits both coniferous and broadleaf forests. Additionally,
6116-411: Is one of the oldest exhibits at the Memphis Zoo and houses aquatic life from both fresh and salt water environments. Some of the more notable animals include: Fly River turtles , electric eels , red bellied piranhas , archer fish , green moray eels , porcupine pufferfish , Arapaima and Volitan lionfish , The electric eel exhibit has a unique feature that converts the eel's electric pulses into
6255-433: Is similar to other subtropical mammals, and will instead move to elevations with warmer temperatures. Pandas rely primarily on spatial memory rather than visual memory . Though the panda is often assumed to be docile, it has been known to attack humans on rare occasions. Pandas have been known to cover themselves in horse manure to protect themselves against cold temperatures. The species communicates foremost through
6394-407: Is the result of powerful jaw muscles, which attach from the top of the head to the jaw. Large molars crush and grind fibrous plant material. The morphological characteristics of extinct relatives of the giant panda suggest that while the ancient giant panda was omnivorous 7 million years ago (mya), it only became herbivorous some 2–2.4 mya with the emergence of A. microta . Genome sequencing of
6533-579: Is the shoots, that are rich in starch and have up to 32% protein content. Accordingly, pandas have evolved a higher capability to digest starches than strict carnivores. Raw bamboo is toxic, containing cyanide compounds. Pandas' body tissues are less able than herbivores to detoxify cyanide, but their gut microbiomes are significantly enriched in putative genes coding for enzymes related to cyanide degradation, suggesting that they have cyanide-digesting gut microbes. It has been estimated that an adult panda absorbs 54.8–66.1 mg (0.846–1.020 gr) of cyanide
6672-534: Is then assessed by Tripadvisor staff. In March 2011, Tripadvisor informed its members that it suffered a data breach and an unauthorized party had stolen some of its email list and might use it for spamming . No passwords or other information was stolen. In July 2012, Tripadvisor was fined $ 80,000 by the United States Department of Transportation for violating fair trading regulations requiring taxes and fees to be shown for prices quoted for airfares,
6811-410: Is used for newly acquired animals, which are quarantined for at least 30 days upon arrival at the zoo before being introduced to their new homes. On September 18, 1998, two plaques were dedicated in memory of musician Jeff Buckley in the Memphis Zoo's Sumatran tiger exhibit. His mother chose that location because of his great love of the Memphis Zoo and the tigers in particular. Jeff frequently visited
6950-565: The American black bear , a thriving bear species. In July 2009, Chinese scientists confirmed the birth of the first cub to be successfully conceived through artificial insemination using frozen sperm. The technique for freezing the sperm in liquid nitrogen was first developed in 1980 and the first birth was hailed as a solution to the dwindling availability of giant panda semen, which had led to inbreeding. Panda semen, which can be frozen for decades, could be shared between different zoos to save
7089-626: The Chinese fringetrees and Chinese snowball viburnums in the China Exhibit and several species of western conifers , maples , and birches in the Northwest Passage and Teton Trek Exhibits. Several gardens are maintained within the zoo, where the plants are the featured items. In addition, tropical plants are grown in several areas during summer months; species include banana plants , elephant ears , hibiscuses , and oleanders growing above
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#17328526182147228-576: The Empress Dowager Bo was buried with a panda skull in her vault. The grandson of Emperor Taizong of Tang is said to have given Japan two pandas and a sheet of panda skin as a sign of goodwill. Unlike many other animals in Ancient China , pandas were rarely thought to have medical uses. The few known uses include the Sichuan tribal peoples' use of panda urine to melt accidentally swallowed needles, and
7367-480: The Qinling Mountains and in the hilly province of Sichuan . Giant pandas are generally solitary. Each adult has a defined territory and a female is not tolerant of other females in her range. Social encounters occur primarily during the brief breeding season in which pandas in proximity to one another will gather. After mating, the male leaves the female alone to raise the cub. Pandas were thought to fall into
7506-756: The Teton Range in Wyoming . Teton Trek begins with a 25-foot (7.6 m) replica of the Old Faithful Geyser and a 5,000-square-foot (460 m) replica of the Old Faithful Inn called the Great Lodge, where interpretive information is presented in an interactive format. The exhibit is home to some of the keystone species of the Yellowstone ecosystem : grizzly bears , elk , timber wolves , trumpeter swans ,
7645-682: The Western Han Dynasty in China, where the writer Sima Xiangru noted that the panda was the most treasured animal in the emperor's garden of exotic animals in the capital Chang'an (present Xi'an ). Not until the 1950s were pandas again recorded to have been exhibited in China's zoos. Chi Chi at the London Zoo became very popular. This influenced the World Wildlife Fund to use a panda as its symbol. A 2006 New York Times article outlined
7784-565: The corporate spin-off of Tripadvisor into a public company . The company acquired Wanderfly, an NYC-based travel inspiration website, in October 2012. In 2013, the company acquired Jetsetter, a flash sale site; GateGuru, a flight and airport information mobile app; and Oyster.com, a hotel review and photography website. In 2014, the company acquired Vacation Home Rentals; Tripod; LaFourchette, which became theFork, for $ 140 million; Viator for $ 200 million; Mytable; Restopolis; and Tripbod,
7923-514: The crepuscular category, those who are active twice a day, at dawn and dusk; however, pandas may belong to a category all of their own, with activity peaks in the morning, afternoon and midnight. The low nutrition quality of bamboo means pandas need to eat more frequently, and due to their lack of major predators they can be active at any time of the day. Activity is highest in June and decreases in late summer to autumn with an increase from November through
8062-452: The giant panda . Other animals showcased in this effort to preserve Chinese species include Sulawesi Black-crested macaques , Père David's deer , Red pandas , François' langurs , and an assortment of colorful birds such as the golden pheasant and red-crowned crane . This exhibit was opened in 1995 and features naturalistic, outdoor exhibit areas for western lowland gorillas , Sumatran orangutans and siamang gibbons. Other animals in
8201-436: The pygmy falcon , Burrowing owl , azure-winged magpie , Bali myna , crested coua , golden white-eye , Jambu fruit dove , Mariana fruit dove , plush-crested jay , purple-throated fruitcrow , red-billed hornbill , Tinian monarch , Toco toucan , and the white-tailed trogon . The exhibit features a walk-through aviary which allows visitors close contact to a number of birds, especially during feeding time. The Aquarium
8340-516: The reticulated python died on July 28, 2009. She was 18 years old. Teton Trek was opened on October 10, 2009, and winning artists of the Teton Trek Art Contest were recognized. The zoo's second African exhibit, Zambezi River Hippo Camp , opened to the public on April 29, 2016. The zoo hosts modern exhibits that mimic the animals' natural habitats , such as Once Upon A Farm , Cat Country , Primate Canyon , Dragon's Lair , Animals of
8479-541: The takin ( Budorcas taxicolor ). The takin and giant panda share a similar ecological niche , and they consume the same resources. When competition for food is fierce, pandas disperse to the outskirts of takin distribution. Other possible competitors include but is not limited to, the Eurasian wild pig ( Sus scrofa ), Chinese goral ( Naemorhedus griseus ) and the Asian black bear ( Ursus thibetanus ). Giant pandas avoid areas with
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#17328526182148618-505: The 1970s, gifts of giant pandas to American and Japanese zoos formed an important part of the diplomacy of the People's Republic of China (PRC), as it marked some of the first cultural exchanges between China and the West. This practice has been termed "panda diplomacy". By 1984, however, pandas were no longer given as gifts. Instead, China began to offer pandas to other nations only on 10-year loans for
8757-525: The Chinese language has given the bear many different names, including mò ( 貘 , ancient Chinese name for giant panda), huāxióng ( 花熊 ; "spotted bear") and zhúxióng ( 竹熊 ; "bamboo bear"). The most popular names in China today are dàxióngmāo ( 大熊貓 ; lit. ' giant bear cat ' ), or simply xióngmāo ( 熊貓 ; lit. ' bear cat ' ). As with the word panda in English, xióngmāo ( 熊貓 )
8896-474: The Night , Tropical Bird House , Herpetarium , Aquarium , African Veldt , Zambezi River Hippo Camp , China , Northwest Passage , and Teton Trek . Viewing all the exhibits requires a walk of about 2 miles (3.2 km). Operating seasonally, trams provide visitors with guided tours of exhibits for a small daily fee; the trams are also useful for shuttling visitors between distant exhibits. Other attractions at
9035-613: The Qinling population often selects evergreen broadleaf and conifer forests, while pandas in the Qionglai mountainous region exclusively select upland conifer forests. The remaining two populations, namely those occurring in the Liangshan and Xiaoxiangling mountains, predominantly occur in broadleaf evergreen and conifer forests. Giant pandas once roamed across Southeast Asia from Myanmar to northern Vietnam . Their range in China spanned much of
9174-475: The Tropical Bird House. The Memphis Zoo acquired a round barn from the Memphis Police Department in 1923, who used the building as their stable for the mounted horse patrol in the early 1900s. The zoo's round barn exhibit is a collection of exotic hoofstock and birds. In 1936, the zoo's first primate exhibit, Monkey Island , was built. It was replaced in 1995 by Primate Canyon . The Aquarium
9313-604: The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) launched a formal investigation into Tripadvisor's claims to provide trustworthy and honest reviews from travelers. The ASA found that Tripadvisor "should not claim or imply that all its reviews were from real travellers, or were honest, real or trusted", and as a result of the investigation, Tripadvisor was ordered to remove the slogan "reviews you can trust" from its UK web site. It changed its hotel review section slogan to "reviews from our community". Tripadvisor said
9452-430: The adapted wrist bone of the red panda , which is native to Nepal. In many older sources, the name "panda" or "common panda" refers to the red panda ( Ailurus fulgens ), which was described some 40 years earlier and over that period was the only animal known as a panda. The binomial name Ailuropoda melanoleuca means black and white (melanoleuca) cat-foot (ailuropoda). Since the earliest collection of Chinese writings,
9591-424: The anogenital gland onto a landmark. Females, however, exercise squatting or simply rubbing their genitals onto a landmark. The season plays a major role in mediating chemical communication. Depending on the season, mainly whether it is breeding season or not, may influence which odors are prioritized. Chemical signals can have different functions in different seasons. During the non-breeding season, females prefer
9730-504: The apps were "illegal", and that public concerns were raised around "obscene, pornographic and violent information or fraud, gambling and prostitution". In December 2020, the Tripadvisor.com website drew 90.2 million visits, and the Tripadvisor app was among the top 10 travel apps in 26 countries as of January 2021. In May 2022, Matt Goldberg was announced as the new CEO of Tripadvisor, replacing Stephen Kaufer . Tripadvisor has been
9869-523: The area are lion-tailed macaques , black-and-white ruffed lemurs , Mona monkeys , Sulawesi macaques , red ruffed lemurs , lesser spot-nosed monkeys , eastern black-and-white colobus , and savanna baboons . This 3-acre (1.2 ha), open-air exhibit houses African lions , cheetahs , Capybara , Amur leopards , meerkats , caracals , capybaras , Bat-eared Foxs , cougars , Sumatran tigers , Bengal tigers , jaguars , snow leopards , and Red pandas . The zoo employed cultural architecture native to
10008-422: The area received a Native American blessing ceremony when they arrived at the zoo. The Northwest Passage is also home to the zoo's American bald eagles , and white-necked ravens . African elephants , white rhinos , and giraffe are joined by zebras , Grant's gazelle , and ostriches in this area. African cranes , bontebok , lechwe , bongo and scimitar oryx also live here. The zoo finished enlarging
10147-456: The authorities, but the staff failed to take any follow-up action. The women then posted advisories and warnings on Tripadvisor, but the reviews were deleted. The review of first victim, Kristie Love, was eventually reinstated, but the company claimed the review of the second victim, Jamie Valeri, was "hearsay" and it was not reinstated. The reports also highlighted at least 12 other such incidents at hotels and resorts across Mexico, including one of
10286-550: The basis of distinct cranial measurements, colour patterns, and population genetics . A detailed study of the giant panda's genetic history from 2012 confirms that the separation of the Qinling population occurred about 300,000 years ago, and reveals that the non-Qinling population further diverged into two groups, named the Minshan and the Qionglai - Daxiangling - Xiaoxiangling - Liangshan group respectively, about 2,800 years ago. Of
10425-502: The branding change had been planned for some time and that changes began in June 2011, before the ASA investigation. ASA commented that "it was concerned that consumers might be fooled by fraudulent posts since the entries could be made without any form of verification", but recognized that Tripadvisor used "advanced and highly effective fraud systems" in an attempt to identify and remove fake content. Approximately 30 hotels have been penalized on
10564-537: The butterflies to feed on. Construction of the Teton Trek exhibit started in February 2008. The decision to clearcut 4 acres (1.6 ha) of old growth forest in the Old Forest Arboretum in order to build the exhibit drew sustained criticism by Citizens to Preserve Overton Park , which was reorganized in response to the forest reduction, and by Park Friends, Inc. Approximately 14 acres of forest adjacent to
10703-637: The case because he could not afford to pursue it. In March 2015, Dietmar Doering, a German hotelier based in Sri Lanka accused Tripadvisor of hosting malicious reviews of his resort The Cosy Beach in Marawila . He claimed he was compelled to take legal action for the estimated damages of US$ 500,000. In 2019, a guesthouse being used as the headquarters for Reform UK was " trolled " by hundreds of users leaving one-star reviews on Tripadvisor. The guesthouse in Norfolk
10842-611: The company acquired Holiday Watchdog , a user-generated travel site in the United Kingdom; Airfarewatchdog; Virtualtourist , a travel website with reportedly about one million registered members; OneTime.com, a travel comparison site; and a majority stake in FlipKey , a vacation-rental website. In April 2009, Tripadvisor launched in China. The company acquired Kuxun.cn, China's second-largest consumer travel site and hotel and flight search engine, in October 2009. In August 2015, Kuxun
10981-528: The company acquired HouseTrip, a holiday rental marketplace based in London. In August 2016, Tripadvisor acquired Citymaps.com, which developed a social mapping site and cross-platform map engine based on OpenStreetMap data. In April 2018, the company acquired Icelandic startup Bokun, a provider of software for travel booking, and in November 2018, the company added DoorDash to its restaurant listings. In December 2019, Tripadvisor acquired SinglePlatform,
11120-462: The company. In March 2014, Tripadvisor's Chinese site came under scrutiny when a user was found to have reviewed 51 Parisian restaurants in one month, while also reviewing 50 hotels in other countries. Separately, in November 2017, Oobah Butler , a journalist for Vice Media , claimed to have made money posting positive reviews for restaurants he never visited, in exchange for payment. In September 2019, consumer organisation Which? said Tripadvisor
11259-492: The cool winter months. Keepers hold a feeding demonstration of the Komodo dragons on Saturdays. Currently, a visiting Komodo dragon from the St. Louis Zoo is visiting for breeding purposes (2013). A variety of colorful birds in outdoor enclosures can be seen by visitors at the entrance to the zoo's Tropical Bird House. The building is home to exotic bird species from around the world such as
11398-460: The correct name. Some linguists argue, in this construction, "bear" instead of "cat" is the base noun, making the name more grammatically and logically correct, which have led to the popular choice despite official writings. This name did not gain its popularity until 1988, when a private zoo in Tainan painted a sun bear black and white and created the Tainan fake panda incident . For many decades,
11537-460: The country, mainly in Sichuan , and also in neighbouring Shaanxi and Gansu . Successful habitat preservation has seen a rise in panda numbers, though loss of habitat due to human activities remains its biggest threat. In areas with a high concentration of medium-to-large-sized mammals—such as domestic cattle , a species known to degrade the landscape—the giant panda population is generally low. This
11676-565: The country. It has often served as China's national symbol , appeared on Chinese Gold Panda coins since 1982 and as one of the five Fuwa mascots of the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing . The word panda was borrowed into English from French, but no conclusive explanation of the origin of the French word panda has been found. The closest candidate is the Nepali word ponya, possibly referring to
11815-432: The dietary switch was initiated prior to T1R1 loss-of-function. Pandas eat any of 25 bamboo species in the wild, with the most common including Fargesia dracocephala and Fargesia rufa . Only a few bamboo species are widespread at the high altitudes pandas now inhabit. Bamboo leaves contain the highest protein levels; stems have less. Because of the synchronous flowering, death, and regeneration of all bamboo within
11954-561: The economics of keeping pandas, which costs five times more than keeping the next most expensive animal, an elephant. American zoos generally pay the Chinese government $ 1 million a year in fees, as part of a typical ten-year contract. San Diego's contract with China was to expire in 2008, but got a five-year extension at about half of the previous yearly cost. The last contract, with the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tennessee , ended in 2013. In
12093-419: The eight extant species in the bear family Ursidae, the giant panda's lineage branched off the earliest. Giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) [REDACTED] Spectacled bear ( Tremarctos ornatus ) [REDACTED] Ursinae (black, brown, sloth, sun, and polar bears) [REDACTED] The giant panda is endemic to China . It is found in small, fragmented populations in six mountainous regions in
12232-449: The elephant exhibit in 2006; it now features a pool that allows elephants to submerse and bathe. In this exhibit, two wooden bridges take visitors through a wetland. It is home to around 30 Chilean flamingos and a variety of other waterfowl . This exhibit opened in May 2009. It features an up-close look at two honey bee hives. Displays inside the exhibit explain what makes bees special and
12371-432: The end of the loan agreement. The Northwest Passage exhibit opened on March 1, 2006, with underwater viewing for polar bears and sea lions. The animals frequently interact with visitors, and the sea lions are fond of following and mimicking small children. Butterflies: In Living Color! was renovated in 2007. The exhibit housed as many as 1,000 butterflies of 35 different species. There were 56 varieties of plants for
12510-408: The eye patches might facilitate them identifying one another. The giant panda's thick, woolly coat keeps it warm in the cool forests of its habitat. The panda's skull shape is typical of durophagous carnivorans. It has evolved from previous ancestors to exhibit larger molars with increased complexity and expanded temporal fossa. A study revealed that a 117.5 kg (259 lb) giant panda had
12649-504: The eyes. The rest of the animal's coat is white. The bear's distinctive coloration appears to serve as camouflage in both winter and summer environments as they do not hibernate . The white areas serve as camouflage in snow, while the black shoulders and legs conceal them in shade. Studies in the wild have found that when viewed from a distance, the panda displays disruptive coloration , while up close, they rely more on blending in . The black ears may be used to display aggression, while
12788-504: The first Memphis Zoo exhibit to be built as zoogeographical exhibit. The buildings, plant life and even the sounds of China are represented in this $ 16 million exhibit. In February 2023, a few months before the Pandas were set to be returned to China, Le Le passed away leading to concerns about the treatment the pandas were getting in the Zoo. In May 2023, Ya Ya was successfully sent back to China after
12927-515: The following March. Activity is also directly related to the amount of sunlight during colder days. There is a significant interaction of solar radiation, such that solar radiation has a stronger positive effect on activity levels of panda bears. Pandas communicate through vocalisation and scent marking such as clawing trees or spraying urine . They are able to climb and take shelter in hollow trees or rock crevices, but do not establish permanent dens. For this reason, pandas do not hibernate , which
13066-567: The fur and its mother's saliva . A month after birth, the colour pattern of the cub's fur is fully developed. Its fur is very soft and coarsens with age. The cub begins to crawl at 75 to 80 days; mothers play with their cubs by rolling and wrestling with them. The cubs can eat small quantities of bamboo after six months, though mother's milk remains the primary food source for most of the first year. Giant panda cubs weigh 45 kg (99 lb) at one year and live with their mothers until they are 18 months to two years old. The interval between births in
13205-494: The giant panda has been driven out of the lowland areas where it once lived. The wild population has increased again to 1,864 individuals as of March 2015. Since 2016, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List . In July 2021, Chinese authorities also classified the giant panda as vulnerable. It is a conservation-reliant species . By 2007, the captive population comprised 239 giant pandas in China and another 27 outside
13344-449: The giant panda suggests that the dietary switch could have initiated from the loss of the sole umami taste receptor, encoded by the genes TAS1R1 and TAS1R3 (also known as T1R1 and T1R3), resulting from two frameshift mutations within the T1R1 exons. Umami taste corresponds to high levels of glutamate as found in meat and may have thus altered the food choice of the giant panda. Although
13483-830: The land of the species on exhibit (for example, temple ruins surround the Sumatran tiger exhibit). The old Carnivora Building, where the cats used to live, was renovated to become the Memphis Zoo's primary restaurant – the Cat House Café. This African exhibit opened in 2016. Its location is adjacent to the Primate Pavilion and south entrance to the African Veldt. It is home to hippos , Nile crocodiles , okapi , yellow-backed duikers , Cape vultures , taveta weavers , nyalas , mandrills , blue-bellied rollers , patas monkeys , Chilean and lesser flamingos . Six bonobos (including
13622-416: The larger trees are native species, which include sweetgum , sycamore , tulip poplar and a host of different oaks and hickories . Common shrubs include colorful native species, such as American beautyberry , oakleaf hydrangea , southern bayberry , and witch hazel , plus numerous exotic shrubs selected for their individual merits. Some exhibits feature plants that support the exhibit's theme, such as
13761-564: The legendary fierce creature pixiu (貔貅) as referring to the giant panda is also common. During the reign of the Yongle Emperor (early 15th century), his relative from Kaifeng sent him a captured zouyu ( 騶虞 ), and another zouyu was sighted in Shandong . Zouyu is a legendary "righteous" animal, which, similarly to a qilin , only appears during the rule of a benevolent and sincere monarch. Pandas have been kept in zoos as early as
13900-539: The maintenance and existence of settlements". The international community considers Israeli settlements built on land occupied by Israel to be in violation of international law . On November 21, 2022, the Paris Commercial Court ordered Tripadvisor to pay €57,000 in damages and other costs to Viaticum, the company that operates the Bourse-des-vols.com website, for denigration. In 2019, Tripadvisor
14039-425: The male may mount her repeatedly to ensure successful fertilisation. The gestation period is somewhere between 95 and 160 days - the variability is due to the fact that the fertilized egg may linger in the reproductive system for a while before implanting on the uterine wall. Giant pandas give birth to twins in about half of pregnancies. If twins are born, usually only one survives in the wild. The mother will select
14178-464: The nutrients that they need and to balance their diet for reproduction. Although adult giant pandas have few natural predators other than humans, young cubs are vulnerable to attacks by snow leopards , yellow-throated martens , eagles, feral dogs, and the Asian black bear . Sub-adults weighing up to 50 kg (110 lb) may be vulnerable to predation by leopards . Giant pandas are sympatric with other large mammals and bamboo feeders, such as
14317-544: The odors of other females because reproduction is not their primary motivation. However, during breeding season, odors from the opposite sex will be more attractive. Because they are solitary mammals and their breeding season is so brief, female pandas secrete chemical cues in order to let males know their sexual status. The chemical cues female pandas secrete can be considered to be pheromones for sexual reproduction. Females deposit scent marks through their urine which induces an increase in androgen levels in males. Androgen
14456-455: The panda's most distinctive features, its large size and round face, are adaptations to its bamboo diet. Anthropologist Russell Ciochon observed: "[much] like the vegetarian gorilla, the low body surface area to body volume [of the giant panda] is indicative of a lower metabolic rate. This lower metabolic rate and a more sedentary lifestyle allows the giant panda to subsist on nutrient poor resources such as bamboo." The giant panda's round face
14595-403: The population is threatened by canine distemper virus (CDV) , canine parvovirus , rotavirus , canine adenovirus , and canine coronavirus . Bacteria, such as Clostridium welchii , Proteus mirabilis , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Escherichia coli , may also be lethal. The giant panda is a terrestrial animal and primarily spends its life roaming and feeding in the bamboo forests of
14734-564: The precise taxonomic classification of the giant panda was under debate because it shares characteristics with both bears and raccoons . In 1985, molecular studies indicated that the giant panda is a true bear, part of the family Ursidae. These studies show it diverged about 19 million years ago from the common ancestor of the Ursidae ; it is the most basal member of this family and equidistant from all other extant bear species. Two subspecies of giant panda have been recognized on
14873-512: The pseudogenisation (conversion into a pseudogene ) of the umami taste receptor in Ailuropoda coincides with the dietary switch to herbivory, it is likely a result of, and not the reason for, the dietary change. The mutation time for the T1R1 gene in the giant panda is estimated to 4.2 mya while fossil evidence indicates bamboo consumption in the giant panda species at least 7 mya, signifying that although complete herbivory occurred around 2 mya,
15012-432: The rare Louisiana pine snake and the axolotl , in addition to some of the most venomous snakes in the world, including the green mamba , Eastern diamondback rattlesnake , and Gaboon viper . It is home to an alligator snapping turtle and Galápagos tortoises . In a seasonal exhibit, a simulated shallow pond provides favorable breeding habitat for the highly endangered Mississippi gopher frog ; this exhibit also features
15151-516: The role they play in agriculture . The indoor bee exhibit leads to an outdoor aviary that features approximately 500 budgies , commonly known as parakeets. In addition to viewing these colorful birds, visitors can feed them using millet seed-heads attached to sticks that are available for a small fee. Opened in April 2003, this $ 16 million exhibit is a zoogeographical area the Memphis Zoo constructed after it became one of only four U.S. zoos to exhibit
15290-514: The short, straight digestive tract. It is also noted, however, that such rapid passage of digesta limits the potential of microbial digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, limiting alternative forms of digestion. Given this voluminous diet, the giant panda defecates up to 40 times a day. The limited energy input imposed on it by its diet has affected the panda's behavior. The giant panda tends to limit its social interactions and avoids steeply sloping terrain to limit its energy expenditures. Two of
15429-438: The signaler's competitive ability outweighs their own. A pandas' size can be conveyed through the height of the scent mark. Since larger animals can place higher scent marks, an elevated scent mark advertises a higher competitive ability. Age must also be taken into consideration when assessing a competitor's fighting ability. For example, a mature panda will be larger than a younger, immature panda and possess an advantage during
15568-622: The site. In 2018, Meriton was fined AU$ 3 million by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission for misleading consumers. In 2012, an action was brought in a Sheriff Court in Scotland, by Richard Gollin, the owner of a guesthouse in the Outer Hebrides who claimed damages for malicious statements. Tripadvisor first asserted that the Scottish courts lacked jurisdiction since it
15707-423: The smallest baby of any placental mammal. It nurses from its mother's breast six to 14 times a day for up to 30 minutes at a time. For three to four hours, the mother may leave the den to feed, which leaves the cub defenseless. One to two weeks after birth, the cub's skin turns grey where its hair will eventually become black. Slight pink colour may appear on the cub's fur, as a result of a chemical reaction between
15846-458: The southeast region. By the Pleistocene , climate change affected panda populations, and the subsequent domination of modern humans led to large-scale habitat loss. In 2001, it was estimated that the range of the giant panda had declined by about 99% of its range in earlier millenniums. The giant panda has a body shape typical of bears. It has black fur on its ears, limbs, shoulders and around
15985-508: The species. As of 2009, it is expected that zoos in destinations such as San Diego in the United States and Mexico City will be able to provide their own semen to inseminate more giant pandas. Attempts have also been made to reproduce giant pandas by interspecific pregnancy where cloned panda embryos were implanted into the uterus of an animal of another species. This has resulted in panda fetuses, but no live births. In Ancient China, people thought pandas to be rare and noble creatures –
16124-421: The stronger of the cubs, and the weaker cub will die due to starvation. The mother is thought to be unable to produce enough milk for two cubs since she does not store fat. The father has no part in helping raise the cub. When the cub is first born, it is pink, blind, and toothless, weighing only 90 to 130 g (3.2 to 4.6 oz), or about 1 / 800 of the mother's weight, proportionally
16263-610: The subject of controversy for allowing unsubstantiated anonymous reviews to be posted about any hotel, bed and breakfast , inn, or restaurant. In May 2021, Tripadvisor was criticized for allowing an offensive review to be posted about the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in which a visitor described bringing a baby to the gas chambers . Tripadvisor initially stated the review complied with submission guidelines but later removed it following backlash on social media . Fake reviews are common and has led to criticism of
16402-440: The transfer would be considered "domestic" or "international" or whether any true conservation purpose would be served by the exchange. A contest in 2006 to name the pandas was held in the mainland, resulting in the politically charged names Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan (from simplified Chinese : 团圆 ; traditional Chinese : 團圓 ; pinyin : tuanyuan ; lit. 'reunion', implying reunification ). China's offer
16541-482: The use of panda pelts to control menstruation as described in the Qin dynasty encyclopedia Erya . The creature named mo (貘) mentioned in some ancient books has been interpreted as giant panda. The dictionary Shuowen Jiezi ( Eastern Han Dynasty ) says that the mo , from Shu (Sichuan), is bear-like, but yellow-and-black, although the older Erya describes mo simply as a "white leopard". The interpretation of
16680-485: The website by the company for suspicious reviews, including a Cornwall hotel that bribed guests to leave positive reviews of the hotel. Tripadvisor has stated that reviews are subject to a verification process which considers the IP address and email address of the author, and tries to detect any suspicious patterns or obscene or abusive language. The website also allows the community of users to report suspicious content, which
16819-685: The website was launched, the company obtained $ 2 million in financing. Seed money was obtained from Flagship Ventures, the Bollard Group, and private investors. In 2004, the company was acquired by IAC/InterActiveCorp . In August 2005, IAC spun off its travel group of businesses under the Expedia, Inc. name. In 2007, the company acquired Smarter Travel Media, operator of SmarterTravel.com; BookingBuddy.com; SeatGuru .com; TravelPod.com; Travel-Library.com; and The Independent Traveler, Inc., publisher of Cruise Critic and IndependentTraveler.com. In 2008,
16958-544: The wild is generally two years. Initially, the primary method of breeding giant pandas in captivity was by artificial insemination , as they seemed to lose their interest in mating once they were captured. This led some scientists to trying methods such as showing them videos of giant pandas mating and giving the males sildenafil (commonly known as Viagra). In the 2000s, researchers started having success with captive breeding programs, and they have now determined giant pandas have comparable breeding to some populations of
17097-522: The zoo include a carousel , an area with rides, a miniature train offering a scenic view of the Once Upon A Farm exhibit, and several theme-oriented gift shops and eateries ; many of these amenities operate seasonally. A children's playground is located next to the Cat House Cafe, and several family picnic areas are maintained beneath groves of mature trees. An ice skating rink is operated seasonally at
17236-479: The zoo were left out of the protective area to ease opposition from former Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and zoo officials. The zoo had its largest single day attendance ever on March 17, 2009, with more than 20,450 visitors. In late May 2009, the Birds and Bees exhibit opened in the former butterfly exhibit. The butterfly garden moved outside the aviary, and is still close to the original exhibit. Longtime zoo favorite "Ann"
17375-434: The zoo's large cats was remodeled into The Cat House Cafe, which opened in 1994. Three new exhibits opened in 1995. Animals of the Night is devoted to nocturnal animals, and reverses their hours from normal so visitors can see them at their most active. Once Upon A Farm was built to resemble an early 1900s farm. Primate Canyon features naturalistic, outdoor exhibit areas for a variety of monkeys and apes. Dragon's Lair
17514-576: The zoo, had plans to become a volunteer in 1997 and, according to his mother, never left the zoo without visiting the Butterflies : In Living Color exhibit, which also opened early in 1998. The exhibit was replaced by "Birds and Bees" in late May 2009. In April 2003, the Memphis Zoo became one of only four U.S. zoos to exhibit the giant panda as a part of a 20-year loan. One male and one female giant panda ("Ya Ya" and "Le Le") share their 3-acre (1.2 ha) home with several other species native to China, in
17653-553: The zoo. In the top panels, the Memphis Zoo Mission Statement is written in hieroglyphics. Cat Country , a 3-acre (1.2 ha), open-air exhibit focused on both predators and prey of the cat world, opened in 1993. Tigers and lions share common space with fennec foxes and meerkats. An Education Complex, Discovery Center, and the Elephant's Trunk Zoo Shop also opened at this time. The Carnivora Building that formerly housed
17792-467: The zoo; the tented rink has an area of 5,400 square feet for skating. Camel rides and giraffe feeding are offered from March to October 2012 for a fee. The zoo is divided into three zones that showcase a total of 19 different exhibits. The 4-acre (1.6 ha) exhibit, which opened October 2009, brings hallmark features of the Yellowstone National Park to the Memphis Zoo. "Teton" refers to
17931-465: Was completed in 1959. It is one of the oldest exhibits at the Memphis Zoo. The building houses aquatic life from both fresh and salt water environments. In 1979, it had major renovations. The Herpetarium was constructed in 1960, located across from the Tropical Bird House. The Herpetarium is home to the zoo's snakes, alligators, lizards and frogs. Later in the year, the Pachyderm / Elephant exhibit
18070-531: Was constructed in 1909 to house the first cats at the zoo. It was later replaced by Cat Country , and converted into an inner-zoo restaurant. The Elephant House opened in 1910. The building is still used as the main building of the zoo's educational department, but the elephants were moved to the African Veldt exhibit. In 1916, the Botanical Display Building opened. It was later converted into
18209-486: Was established on April 4, 1906, with $ 1,200 from the Memphis Park Commission. In August 1906, 23 cages and concrete bear enclosures were built with another $ 3,628 thanks to the head of the commission, Col. Robert Galloway. Galloway Hall, the Memphis Zoo's first building, was finished in 1907. It was named in honor of Col. Galloway, but was later demolished to make room for newer exhibits. The Carnivora Building
18348-550: Was finished, and the elephants moved in from the old elephant house. The zoo renovated its entrance in 1990. The main entrance way was designed by architect, Jeffery Borchardt. It was dubbed as the "Avenue of the Animals" which displays a grand Egyptian motif modeled after the Avenue of Sphinxes in Egypt. The zoo portal facade features a 40' by 163' wall with hieroglyphics of all the animals in
18487-779: Was initially rejected by Chen Shui-bian , then President of Taiwan. However, when Ma Ying-jeou assumed the presidency in 2008, the offer was accepted and the pandas arrived in December of that year. In the 2020s, certain "celebrity pandas" have gained a cult following amongst internet users, with dedicated fan accounts existing to keep tabs on the animals. Known as "giant panda fever" or "panda-monium", individual pandas are known to get billions of views and engagements on social media, as well as product lines specifically emulating them. At Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding , certain of these "celebrity pandas" are known to garner hours-long lines specifically to see them. The giant panda
18626-504: Was named America's Best Midsize Employer by Forbes . Giant panda The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ), also known as the panda bear or simply panda , is a bear species endemic to China . It is characterised by its white coat with black patches around the eyes, ears, legs and shoulders. Its body is rotund; adult individuals weigh 100 to 115 kg (220 to 254 lb) and are typically 1.2 to 1.9 m (3 ft 11 in to 6 ft 3 in) long. It
18765-402: Was opened in 1998 for the zoo's three Komodo dragons , and includes outdoor and indoor areas, allowing them to stay warm during the cool winter months. A new animal hospital was also finished in 1998, with separate holding and quarantine wings built on opposite ends of the building. The sick wing separates sick or injured animals from others and allows for proper recovery time. The quarantine wing
18904-460: Was originally used to describe just the red panda, but dàxióngmāo ( 大熊貓 ) and xiǎoxióngmāo ( 小熊猫 ; lit. ' little bear cat ' ) were coined to differentiate between the species. In Taiwan , another popular name for panda is the inverted dàmāoxióng ( 大貓熊 ; lit. ' giant cat bear ' ), though many encyclopedias and dictionaries in Taiwan still use the "bear cat" form as
19043-481: Was owned by the husband of Catherine Blaiklock , the leader of the political party. In December 2014, the Italian Antitrust Authority fined Tripadvisor €500,000 for improper commercial practices on the Tripadvisor website. The Italian Authority said Tripadvisor and its Italian arm should stop publishing misleading information about the sources of the reviews. In June 2015, a fake restaurant created by
19182-465: Was sold to Meituan. In June 2010, the company acquired holidaylettings.co.uk, the largest independent vacation rental website in the United Kingdom. In September 2010, SmarterTravel, part of TripAdvisor Media Group, launched SniqueAway (now Jetsetter), the first members-only site where each travel deal is endorsed by member reviews. In July 2011, the company acquired Where I've Been , a Chicago-based Facebook app. In December 2011, Expedia completed
19321-539: Was still failing to stop fake reviews. Its survey of nearly 250,000 reviews for the ten top-ranked hotels in ten popular tourist destinations around the world found that one in seven had "blatant hallmarks" of fake positive reviews. In May 2013, a fake restaurant was set up by a disgruntled businessman and reportedly had diners looking for the eatery in an alley filled with rubbish bins. The fake listing went undetected on Tripadvisor for about two months. In November 2017, journalist Oobah Butler used fake reviews to boost
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