#Moonbearmonday: The best of enemies

05 January 2015

Pippin relaxing in her enclosure at CBRC, 2008

A special #moonbearmonday this week by guest writer and Chengdu sanctuary Team Leader Lu Wenjuan.

I would like to introduce a special bear. The reason she is special is because she has a beautiful name Xuan Xuan, which means 'Graceful'.

In my eyes, she is fit, has a beautiful face, and has a pair of round but thick ears that make her seem super-smart.

Xuan Xuan is amiable but has a clear-cut stand on what to love and what to hate.

For months she refused to forgive her little friend Pippin after they rowed over a piece of cabbage.

They growled whenever they met, neither one willing to make a concession.

But recently Pippin has been sick. She's been having trouble moving, so staff have decided to keep her in her den to rest.

Of course, Xuan Xuan wasn't able to find her in the enclosure and seemed worried. Having realised that Pippin is staying in her den, she visits her every day by the den doors and "talks" from time to time.

We can tell from her expression that her noises are neither mock nor provocation, but care and love. Xuan Xuan and Pippin lie down face to face and look at each other through the slide door."

Xuan Xuan doesn't know it yet, but due to her mobility issues, Pippin and her close friend Bronwyn will be moving to a new enclosure this week that is better suited to their disabilities.

Xuan Xuan will have to find a new friend to squabble with over cabbage.

Fortunately, there are plenty of other bears in the enclosure for her to choose from.

It seems Xuan Xuan and the moon bears have taught us yet another lesson: don't take your friends for granted because you never know what may be round the corner.

Hope you all have a great #moonbearmonday and a fantastic week.

Xuan Xuan waiting outside Pippin's den 2


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