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© Tiergarten Schönbrunn

28. 01. 13. - 18:00

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28. 01. 13. - 18:00

Vienna zoo wins three Giant Panda Zoo Awards

Schönbrunn Zoo in the capital Vienna has picked up three awards at the first ever Giant Panda Awards voted for by panda fans from over 130 countries.

Around 28,000 panda fans and experts took part in the online vote - with the result that Schönbrunn zoo won three awards out of the available ten.

Fu Long, who was born in Schönbrunn and was flown back to the China panda breeding and research centre Bifengxia in November 2009 won the Gold award in the category 'Most popular returning panda'.

Schönbrunn panda carer Renate Haider who has worked with panda's in Vienna for ten years won Silver in the category 'Panda carer of the year'.

Haider accompanied panda baby Fu Hu on his return to China.

She said: "I am honoured to receive this award. It is such a pleasure to work with these amazing animals."

Panda baby Fu Hu won bronze in the category 'Panda personality of the year 2012'.

Zoo Director Dagmar Schratter said: "We are very happy to be awarded the three awards. The awards are a great idea as it draws attention to these endangered species.

For more information on giant pandas:  www.GiantPandaZoo.com

Vienna Times

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