There's No Such Thing As A Free Panda - Anymore

China has announced that it is ending the practice of giving away pandas for the purpose of smoothing foreign relations. This won't affect any current or future panda leasing programs, including the recent negotiation to send a pair to the Adelaide Zoo in Australia.

Apparently China has discovered that it is far more lucrative to rent out pandas than to just give them away. Now that's embracing capitalism. The last pandas gifts that China gave away went to Hong Kong in 1999 to commemorate the formerly British colony's return to Chinese control. Panda leases average about $1 million annually, with the money going to panda research and habitat conservation. While this move will raise money for panda causes, it will hopefully also allow China to keep tight control over pandas leased abroad to ensure their health and well being.

Pictured above: Why do you taunt me so?