As National Day approached, Linhai Zoo began making relevant preparations.
The two red panda cubs were expected to be officially exhibited during the National Day holiday!
Since red pandas are not social animals, even though they are relatively docile and adult red pandas can stay together, having cubs around would be unsuitable.
Otherwise, Hong Dou might get very anxious, carrying the cubs around and being on edge.
So recently, Ling Ling, Shuai Shuai, and Ming Ming, the other red pandas, were moved to an exhibit next to the raccoon exhibit.
The red panda exhibit was planned to be expanded after the National Day holiday when there would be fewer visitors, creating a separate section for the cubs.
In his office, Fang Ye reviewed the materials submitted by the staff.
Recently, he had attended a meeting in the city, where the city officials wanted the zoo to apply for a 4A-level tourist attraction status.
Applying for a tourist attraction status had many benefits, such as increased support from various resources, more subsidies, greater media exposure, and a significant increase in the number of visitors, which would naturally boost the zoo's income.
However, it was a double-edged sword!
An increase in visitors would inevitably affect the overall experience.
Fang Ye had previously not considered applying because the current number of visitors was just right, providing a comfortable experience, with only a slight crowd during holidays.
Since the construction was funded by Green Leaf Coins, it saved a significant amount of money.
There had been no motivation to pursue this before, but with Linhai Zoo gaining some popularity on foreign social media, even Mayor Bai personally suggested it, aiming to boost Linhai's tourism industry. It was hard to refuse.
After reviewing the application materials, he looked at the design proposals submitted by the cultural and creative department.
Zhao Chan, who had collaborated with the zoo on several cultural and creative products and had a keen interest in this field, joined Linhai Zoo after graduating this year.
The new design submitted was a series of phone cases featuring cute animals such as giant pandas, red pandas, sika deer, foxes, Pallas's cats, and the recently added penguins and otters.
The designs had a cartoonish style, with lively colors and a fresh, clean aesthetic.
Otters swimming in the water, sika deer grazing—these adorable designs were likely to be popular among young artists and girls.
There were also couple versions.
For example, two red pandas chasing each other on tree branches, with each phone case usable separately or forming a complete picture when combined.
Fang Ye found the designs appealing and immediately approved them.
He called out to Lan Li, who was sitting across from his desk, "Check this out!"
Lan Li leaned over and exclaimed, "Wow, these phone cases are so cute! And they come in couple versions."
"When they're produced, how about we get a pair?"
"Sure! I like the Pallas's cat one, with its silly big face."
After handling these tasks, Fang Ye stretched, "Let's go live for a while."
Starting the live stream!
"They're here, they're here!"
"I missed you, Director!"
"Hello, Director! I've been watching your streams for so long, and I'm finally planning to visit your zoo during National Day."
"+1! I've already booked a hot spring room and am ready to enjoy!"
"I'm not planning to go out; I'll just watch the live stream from home! Last time I climbed Mount Tai, I regretted it. Got up early for the sunrise, but I was exhausted halfway up, and it was freezing at the top!"
"I'm so jealous! I wanted to visit the zoo too, but my girlfriend insists on finding some pink beach."
"Nowadays, many online scenic spots are filtered! Those so-called Instagram-worthy spots look nothing like the photos in real life."
"I got scammed last time. Saw a beautiful rainbow staircase in photos, but when I got there, the paint was peeling, and it looked awful. Can we get some real experiences?"
"Hehe, I've recommended Linhai Zoo to many friends. Director, how about a prize? Maybe a panda plushie?"
"Speaking of which, President Fei visited your zoo last time and loved the claw machine. Will there be similar activities during National Day?"
Though it had been a while since the last live stream, the chat quickly filled up!
With National Day approaching, everyone's minds were wandering, making it hard to focus on work or study.
The live stream chat was lively with discussions about National Day travel plans.
Fang Ye smiled, "Welcome to Linhai Zoo! We have many exciting activities planned for National Day. But remember to book your tickets in advance. You can follow our zoo's official account for more details!"
"What's today's stream about?"
"Take us to see the penguins!"
"Wait, does the zoo have penguins now?"
"Yes, and they sound just like donkeys! It's so funny!"
"Are the red panda cubs on display yet? I can't wait to see them!"
"Ugh, I want to see the foxes! It's been so long since we saw Xiao Qiao."
Fang Ye said, "Yes, the zoo has recently opened some new exhibits: the Golden Pheasant Forest, the Native Exhibit, and the Penguin Exhibit. The red foxes now live in the Native Exhibit! There are also otters there; we can check them out later.
Speaking of which, we recently introduced a batch of roe deer. They're still in quarantine, but you should be able to see them by National Day.
Let's start with the red panda cubs! We can take them out to the outdoor activity area to get them familiar with the environment."
As they walked towards the red panda exhibit, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl spotted Fang Ye, her face lighting up with excitement. She waved, "Hello!"
In somewhat broken Chinese, she asked, "Hello, are you Director Fang?"
Fang Ye nodded kindly, "Yes, I am! Where are you from?"
The girl smiled, "I'm from the UK! I saw your video of petting lions on Twitter. It was amazing! So, I came here to visit."
"How do you like our zoo?"
"Haha, it's beautiful! I was just feeding pigeons in the plaza, and it feels like being in nature, not a zoo at all."
"Thank you for the compliment. I hope you enjoy your visit."
"Thank you!"
After taking a photo with Fang Ye, she happily left.
Viewers in the live stream chat were amazed, "Wow, Director, you have foreign fans now!"
"Linhai Zoo recently went viral on Twitter. Director Fang's nickname, 'The Great Druid,' has spread abroad."
"Nice, going international! Let foreigners see how beautiful our Chinese zoo is."
"This girl's compliment is rare. British zoos are highly regarded internationally!"
A netizen explained, "The British have a knack for gardening. Their zoo's landscaping is not only natural but also layered and beautiful. I spent an entire day there and still didn't see everything."
"Wow, that makes the British girl's compliment even more valuable!"
Fang Ye smiled and nodded, "That's right. The London Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world, a pioneer in the zoo industry.
Their birdhouse mimics a Victorian collector's cabinet, decorated with bird paintings, giving it an artistic feel. There are many aspects we can learn from them."
"Haha, Director, you're too modest."
They arrived at the back of the red panda exhibit.
Hong Dou and Li Zi were now living together again. At the moment, Hong Dou was walking around on the ground, while Li Zi was sunbathing outside.
Seeing Fang Ye enter the back area, Hong Dou immediately ran over, happily standing up and hugging his leg.
Director, you're here to visit me again? Where's my apple?
Hong Tang and Shan Zha, the cubs, had been staying in the nest for a while, slowly developing, and could finally come out to play.
Hong Tang followed closely behind Hong Dou, but still appeared cautious.
Seeing someone enter the back area, Hong Tang was startled.
"Chirp, chirp, chirp~"
It made a sharp bird-like sound, its body trembling as it crouched down, legs going weak, and slowly moved away.
Hong Dou immediately turned around, looking worriedly at her cub, and ran back.
"Yoo~"
She responded with a sound, as if saying, "Mommy's here, don't be afraid!"
Hong Tang, shivering, crawled to Hong Dou's side, feeling her warm body, and finally seemed a bit more at ease.
He buried his head under Hong Dou.
Fang Ye laughed, "Oh, so timid, are you really that scared of me? Seems like you've inherited Hong Dou's personality! Hong Dou, don't you think?"
When Hong Dou first came to the zoo, she was very timid, always hiding in the dense foliage of the trees or curling up in the stone fortress, hiding completely.
Unfamiliar with the environment, she was once even startled by a rock in the exhibit, raising her paws to scare the rock, which made the visitors laugh.
Fang Ye walked over to Hong Tang, squatted down, and gently petted him.
Hong Tang sensed the familiar and warm scent from Fang Ye and finally relaxed.
Oh, it's the Director, a good two-legged creature! Approved by mom and dad!
He stood up from the ground, looking much less frightened than before.
"Chirp, chirp," he called out a few times.
Netizens, seeing Hong Tang's appearance, smiled, "So fluffy and cute ^o^!"
"Didn't expect the cubs to sound like that, like birds."
"Such a cute little chirper!"
"Sounds so nice, like singing!"
Fang Ye laughed, "Adult red pandas rarely make sounds, only when they're young or in mating season. Their calls sound like high-pitched bird chirps. When they fight, they even make pig-like grunts to intimidate their enemies."
After calming Hong Tang, he looked at the other cub.
Shan Zha was lying on a scale!
He looked at Fang Ye with an unhappy expression, his face serious.
He was relatively braver, somewhat similar to Li Zi's personality.
Maybe he found the scale comfortable and liked staying there.
He started chasing his short, chubby tail, playing in circles.
His tail, initially thick at one end and thin at the other like a fat bamboo shoot, had become round and fluffy like a soft, puffy bread.
Fang Ye said to Hong Dou, "The weather's nice today, let's take the kids out to play!"
In the north, autumn starts in September. Now, nearing October, cold air was moving south, making Linhai cooler, with temperatures dropping a few degrees.
No need to give the animals ice blocks anymore; it was perfect for outdoor activities.
He gestured to Hong Dou, pointing to the door, and then went to the activity area to wait.
Li Zi was lounging on a perch, lazily sunbathing, looking quite content.
Seeing Fang Ye, she blinked and twitched her ears, greeting him.
After a while, Hong Dou came out through the door!
Following her, a small head appeared in the door's shadow, Shan Zha curiously looking outside.
Sunlight fell on his forehead, giving it a pale yellow hue.
The cub's fur had now developed its colors, red where it should be red, and black where it should be black. But in the sunlight, the colors appeared much lighter.
Shan Zha stepped out cautiously, head lowered, looking around carefully.
Hong Tang also poked his head out, squeezing past Shan Zha's butt, took a look, then quickly retracted his head in a panic.
The little ones had never played outside before! They were curious but slightly afraid of the outside world.
Hong Dou had previously not allowed them to play outside, keeping a close watch on them.
But now the cubs had grown, and with the other red pandas moved to the raccoon exhibit, it seemed like the right time to let them out.
Shan Zha breathed in the fresh air, looking at the green grass, momentarily dazed!
Seeing Hong Dou walk past the door, he hurriedly looked up at her, "Chirp, chirp," calling out.
Mommy, mommy!
Hong Dou walked back.
Shan Zha was puzzled, what did mommy mean?
Hong Tang was already heading back, calling out in fear, wanting to return to the familiar back area.
As long as he got back, mommy should appear!
Shan Zha turned around, butt facing outside, looking at Hong Tang in confusion!
He also disappeared into the passage.
"Come on, you two scaredy-cats, get out!"
"Aww, the baby went back in!"
"So cute!"
Hong Dou was pacing outside, trying to get the kids to follow, but they were heading back instead.
Seeing them not coming out, she went back inside.
After a while, she came out carrying Shan Zha.
When tigers carry their cubs, they can lift them into the air.
But red pandas have short legs, so they can only drag their cubs along the ground like a mop.
And since the cub's body is long, it gets stuck between the legs while dragging, making the front legs bend outward to avoid bumping, looking quite clumsy.
Shan Zha, being carried by Hong Dou, tilted his head, looking unhappy.
His little paws waved restlessly, "Chirp, chirp," crying out.
His belly rubbed against the grass as he was dragged to a spacious area, where Hong Dou finally put him down.
Netizens laughed at the amusing scene!
"Hahaha, is she mopping the floor?"
"This way of carrying the cub is so hardcore!"
"Looks so clumsy."
"Reminds me of when my mom dragged me out shopping when I didn't want to leave my bed!"
"Don't forget there's another cub!"
Hong Tang, who had followed out, was peeking from the door, calling out, "Chirp, chirp."
As if saying, "Mommy, aren't you coming to carry me?"
Hong Dou had indeed forgotten!
Licking her paws, she heard the call and remembered, quickly going back to carry Hong Tang.
Hong Tang was very well-behaved, staying still while being carried.