PANDA Caroline Arnold Photographs by Richard Hewett
AT THE ZOO Seated upright in typical panda style Tohui quietly munched a stalk of bamboo From the step of the jungle gym above her seven-month-old youngster Xin Xin nudged Tohui as if to say Stop eating and come play with me It was a warm sunny day perfect for climbing and tumbling in the grass Like other giant pandas both Tohui and Xin Xin have round bodies bright eyes and thick long fur making them look as much like large stuffed toys as living animals Their cuddly appearance and gentle personalities make pandas one of the best-loved of all animals They are also one of the rarest Without special care to protect the giant pandas and the places where they live these gentle creatures may soon become extinct
