On-line Adoption to Help Giant PandaA Maryland couple have won an on-line adopt-a-panda auction held by an Internet company to support efforts in China to protect the endangered animal.Bruce and Iresha Fletcher, of Chevy Chase, made the winning bid of US$6,100 during the 11-day auction, held from June 11-22 by Twinbays International, a firm which helps companies buy goods on the Internet. The panda they adopted, a two-year old female named Meixiang, will continue to live at the Wolong Nature Reserve in China. "Twinbays is extremely happy for the support the Fletchers have shown for our efforts to protect and preserve the giant panda," Twinbays Chief Operator Yan Liao said when announcing the on-line auction winner. The announcement was made at a reception earlier this month to celebrate the establishment of Twinbays International. Twinbays also announced the formation of the Panda Foundation to promote the preservation and conservation of the endangered species and its natural habitat. "I've always been a supporter of the National Zoo and I am very much aware of the earlier panda programme there, so when I heard about this auction it just seemed natural to get involved," said Bruce Fletcher. "As we move into the future, relations (between the United States and China) must improve and hopefully a programme like this will help." Fletcher, who is president of the Permanent Financial Services Group, a subsidiary of Maryland Permanent Bank, and is also chairman of the Bank's Civic Committee, is extremely active in his local community. All the money raised by the on-line auction will be used by the Panda Foundation to support the work of the Wolong Panda Research Centre in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Founded in 1963, the research centre is part of the 162,000- hactare Wolong Nature Reserve, the first Chinese nature reserve of its kind, and is an acknowledged leader in panda studies and conservation. The Fletchers will receive regular updates on Meixiang, including activity reports and video files via e-mail. Additionally, a plaque honouring them will be placed at the research centre. Although the adoption is only for one year, the plaque will be a permanent commemorative marker to Meixiang's adoptive "parents." With a population of only about 1,000, the giant panda is considered to be one of the world's most endangered species and money to protect them is urgently needed. |
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