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I have a wildlife zoo-Chapter 729 - 728 Back in Business
Chapter 729: Chapter 728: Back in Business!
Chapter 729 -728: Back in Business!
Last year’s breeding season wasn’t disturbed by visitors, so it was only natural for Cloud and Zhuangzhuang to mate successfully.
As for how long after mating one can know if there is a pregnancy, that’s quite difficult to say!
Panda gestation periods are quite peculiar, ranging from 70 to 320 days, meaning that the longest gestations can be eight months longer than the shortest, a four or five-fold difference in time!
By the time other babies are born, some pandas still show no signs of pregnancy.
It’s said that Nezha from the mythical legends was born after a gestation of three years and six months, probably inspired by pandas.
Not only is there a wide range for the gestation period, but false pregnancies are also common.
Some female pandas even pretend to be pregnant every year just to enjoy the air conditioning and avoid going out…
For the animal keepers and fans who love the pandas and look forward to them birthing cubs, such situations bring emotions of hope and disappointment, and leave them feeling like they are on a roller coaster. It is truly torturous!
Usually, a panda’s gestation period is between 110 and 130 days, and it may take up to three months after mating to determine if there is a pregnancy.
…
In mid-March, the zoo reopened for business, but tickets had to be purchased online at least one day in advance.
Weekend.
Tang Xiaoxin, wearing a pretty dress, rolled around excitedly on her bed, overflowing with excitement: “Going to the zoo to play!”
With no place to go out to during the holiday, she could only sulk at home, wearing pajamas all day and watching boring TV shows with her parents, feeling like she was about to go moldy from being so cooped up.
She had been dreaming of going out to play!
Leaning against the window, while looking at the clouds, she dialed Qian Keke’s number.
The weather today was also very nice, with a sky as blue as a wash and brilliant sunshine, perfect for an outing.
The pale golden sunshine, filtering through the fluffy soft clouds, reflected off Tang Xiaoxin’s beaming smile.
“Hey, Keke… I’m getting ready to leave, yeah, let’s go now!”
Before leaving the house, she hugged Little Blackie, showering him with kisses!
“Be good, Little Blackie, wait for me to come back!”
Little Blackie disdainfully pushed Tang Xiaoxin’s face away and jumped down from her hands.
In the green space downstairs, unnamed flowers had bloomed, their bunches of pale pink rose petals uplifted everyone’s mood.
In the neighborhood, there were old men taking walks, people playing with fitness equipment, and others sitting in chairs basking in the sun, breathing fresh air, all exuding a leisurely contentment.
Besides everyone still wearing masks, it seemed like life had returned to its pre-pandemic normal.
Previously, strict pandemic measures were in place, with security watching closely, prohibiting gatherings and chats, and everyone sensibly stayed home and did not go out.
Tang Xiaoxin picked up her phone and took a few photos of the flowers downstairs, sincerely exclaiming, “Ah, it’s so nice to be able to go out and play!”
A little dog scurried past her feet in a fluster.
Its fur was gray and black, with a pale white forehead and nose, looking more like a raccoon than a dog!
Tang Xiaoxin was surprised: “Huh, did a raccoon from the zoo get out?”
Looking closer, she saw some differences from a raccoon; raccoons are sneakily shifty, with a kind of cunningly charming appearance.
The other residents also noticed this oddly shaped creature, watching it with curiosity.
In fact, it was a common raccoon dog.
During the pandemic, there were numerous reports of animals appearing on the streets.
Abroad, there were cougars wandering around the city center of Chile’s capital in search of food; a mother duck leading her ducklings along the ring road in Paris; herds of goats loitering in a coastal town in Wales, and African penguins strolling down the street in pairs.
In our country, there were pandas taking leisurely walks on the national highway and wild boars dashing across the Yangtze River Bridge.
Wild animals have always been living in the cities, but usually hide from humans, avoiding encounters.
When the pandemic struck and people stayed indoors, leaving cities silent, these wild animals naturally came out to explore.
It seemed that this common raccoon dog had already explored this area in the past few months, becoming familiar with the new environment.
However, this path is usually empty of people, and suddenly encountering so many today seemed to cause it some panic and confusion.
It dashed past Tang Xiaoxin’s feet and bumped into a resident’s leg.
Throughout this period, everyone was receiving various push notifications and more or less pondered over issues concerning humans and nature.
With the pandemic temporarily lifted, being healthy and not having to stay cooped up at home, one could go out and play with friends, eat hot pot.
Only when things are lost do we understand and appreciate the everyday pleasantries we take for granted; returning to normal life, people became particularly kindhearted.
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When the common raccoon dog bumped into one of them, no one kicked it away or made threatening gestures but instead gently made way for it.
The raccoon dog hurriedly disappeared into the bushes.
The bus stop.
“Xiaoxin!”
Qian Keke happily hopped and waved at her non-stop.
Looking at the few pedestrians passing by on the main street and the continuous traffic, she stretched out her arms, squinting her eyes as if embracing the revitalized city.
“How wonderful! If a reporter came to interview me right now and asked me what happiness is, I’d definitely say that being able to go to school and hang out on weekends is happiness.”
Even Qian Keke, who feared exams and struggled to find motivation to study, expressed such a sentiment, indicative of how stifled she felt during this time.
But such feelings were probably temporary.
After two days back at school, getting scolded by teachers, she would probably start missing the comfort of staying home without needing to go out.
Tang Xiaoxin nodded vigorously in agreement, “Yeah, exactly! Today we’ll definitely have a great time to make up for the holiday’s disappointments.”
Qian Keke sighed, “I had made plans with my parents to book a room in a hot spring hotel before the New Year, to enjoy a comfortable soak, but that never happened.
Though one can always go to the hot springs whenever, some seasonal experiences, like the snow monkeys bathing together, such interesting behavior, and the fiery red maple forest in the rural exhibition area, won’t be available until next year.”
Tang Xiaoxin laughed and said, “It’s okay, different seasons offer different beauties. The cherry blossoms in the cherry blossom forest are blooming right now; we can go see them! Oh, and the zoo has opened a new butterfly exhibit, did you know?”
“Wow, a butterfly exhibit; I can’t wait any longer! Let’s get on the bus!”
The two got on the bus, and Tang Xiaoxin shared a little incident from the road, “When I was leaving the residential area, I came across an animal that looked a lot like a raccoon! I don’t even know what it was.”
“Huh, do we also have animals on our streets?”
…
Arriving at the zoo!
Parents pushing strollers, holding their children’s hands, young people who came in groups, and especially the children, were extra excited, pulling on their parents’ arms to move forward, as if they wished they could fly inside.
A volunteer came to the back of the line, reminding, “Everyone, please prepare your health codes in advance, and those who should wear masks…”
The zoo’s entrance also had a rapid temperature screening device, allowing guests to avoid long queues and enter the park quickly.