1600 panda bears were on display Saturday at Les Passages at Boulogne-Billancourt. Pandas are increasingly under threat, as their native habitat - bamboo forests in Southwest China - diminishes. The World Wildlife Fund exhibition is in conjunction with the United Nations Year of Biodiversity initiative.
This little boy ran past the ropes, in his enthusiasm to touch the pandas.
His mom ran to retrieve him.
A group of pandas enjoyed the carousel.
This trio of pandas stood guard on top of an adjacent building.
A panda in the ticket booth.
This black-and-white dog moved closer to investigate the curious creatures.
...but seemed to lose interest.
The carousel at dusk. Thousands of excited children - and plenty of adults - visited the pandas, now an endangered species.
Go here to find various ways you can help assure the pandas' survival.
Children's t-shirts were selling like hotcakes Saturday at the WWF booth.
This is so surreal, Tara.
I'm so sorry I've been so remiss in keeping up with my favorite blogs. I don't know where the time..... goes.
Posted by: Chris | 13 April 2010 at 00:57
the dog and the pandas is just the most awesome capture ever! could he have been more perfect with them?
i saw a penguin exhibition once in frankfurt, with 100s of penguins, tho' it was indoors at the modern art museum. they had been painted with fish oil-based paint, so it actually smelled totally fishy in the room, just like penguins really would. :-) this plethora of pandas somehow reminds me of that.
i also just noticed your header...in light of your postal troubles in paris, it's really quite amusing. :-)
Posted by: julochka | 31 March 2010 at 00:45
Wish I'd been there! Love how they had a panda peeking out of the round window of the carousel's "submarine"! Such a creative way to draw attention to the poor pandas. They're so beautiful and so fragile.
I'm surprised more little ones didn't storm through the ropes! LOL
Posted by: The Bold Soul | 30 March 2010 at 18:04
Nancy, thank you! Lovely to know that the children enjoyed the pics! Wish they could see the pandas in person.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 30 March 2010 at 16:43
The Grade One class across the hall from me is currently doing a research project on pandas. I suggested to the teacher that the children look at the photos in this post. They did, and the students LOVED your pictures!
Posted by: Nancy Sotham | 30 March 2010 at 16:27
The pandas on the carousel are too cute! I love how Paris can put on a striking visual to bring attention to a worthy cause.
Posted by: Gourmantic | 30 March 2010 at 05:01
Holy Panda! That's amazing!
Posted by: jeanie | 29 March 2010 at 22:34
Love the dog! And the carousel! The first time I moved to Europe, my children were 5 and 9. Many an afternoon was spent eating ice cream and riding the magical carousels France has to offer. Loved the photos, as usual!
Posted by: MAWB | 29 March 2010 at 13:39
What a fabulous idea! I love the French for coming up with creative ways to address issues. And I love you for taking us there.
Posted by: Donna | 29 March 2010 at 05:08
Thanks for making us aware of this...great photos and post!
Posted by: Theresa Cheek | 29 March 2010 at 02:21
Beautiful images of this event!
Posted by: judith | 28 March 2010 at 23:13
What an amazing way to bring attention to the panda problem. It is creative, graphic, and visually makes an important point.
Your black and white dog with the panda is such an amazing photo! Thanks for posting these photos!
Posted by: Helen | 28 March 2010 at 21:09
I also hope they raise alot of money to save the pandas. What a very clever display and impact. I would be like the little boy and want to touch and run among the pandas.
Posted by: Marilyn | 28 March 2010 at 20:20
What an intriguing way to call attention to such an important issue (plus, they're so dang cute!). Thanks for sharing those photos!
Posted by: Mandi | 28 March 2010 at 18:45
I'll never forget seeing the videos after the Chinese earthquake of the panda sanctuary. The staff were carrying pandas away to safety. Hope the exhibition helps WWF get a huge amount of donations.
Posted by: martina | 28 March 2010 at 18:44
you absolutely find the most amazing stuff. thanks for this
Posted by: leoniewise | 28 March 2010 at 18:24
WHAT A GREAT IDEA! This is wonderful!
Posted by: Yoli | 28 March 2010 at 17:49
what a clever charming way to bring attention to a sad situation = very thought provoking and beautifully conceived - great capture on the intrepid little boy too!
Posted by: elsie | 28 March 2010 at 17:43
By scary, I mean that there are so few of them left. :(
Posted by: Gillian | 28 March 2010 at 17:28
Oh wow! I like the idea of representing all the world's pandas like that...how adorable and yet scary!
When I was a child (and still) I just adored pandas. They are something special. xo
Posted by: Gillian | 28 March 2010 at 17:28