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Welcome to the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat and Asia Trail
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Asia Trail
On September 20*, 2006, the Smithsonian's National Zoo will unveil Asia Trail, a brand-new series of exhibits set among waterfalls, rocky outcrops, and bamboo groves. More than just a showcase for seven fascinating species, Asia Trail is an immersive experience filled with the sights and sounds of the world's largest continent, and an inspiring call for conservation.

*Editor's note: The public opening of Asia Trail has changed to October 17, 2006.

Bamboo
Several species of bamboo are planted along Asia Trail, as well as other trees and plants native to Asia. (Jessie Cohen/NZP)

Few people have the good fortune to see giant pandas, Japanese giant salamanders, red pandas, Asian small-clawed otters, fishing cats, clouded leopards, or sloth bears in the wild, in part because human activities threaten these animals' very existence. But Asia Trail and its newly expanded, state-of-the-art Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat bring people in close proximity, and in many cases eye to eye, with them all. Watching a giant panda loll within arm's reach or nearly touching noses with a sloth bear presents a rare opportunity for visitors to discover how little separates Homo sapiens from their fellow species.

Asia Trail also provides new perspectives on the triumphs and challenges of conservation in Asia. Exhibits show how sustainable agricultural practices, such as beekeeping and mushroom farming, alternative fuel options such as biogas stoves, and conservation education programs that provide jobs for women are improving the lives of villagers and wildlife in Asia. Yet, while conservation often benefits people and animals, conflicts of interest sometimes arise. Decision Stations in both of Asia Trail's conservation plazas use interactive, touch-screen displays to show real conservation conflicts in China and India, and ask you to make some tough decisions to resolve them.

National Zoo scientists face similar challenges as they help conserve Asian wildlife and habitats. Some work in Asia alongside colleagues and local people, and anecdotes and artifacts from their expeditions are on display at both conservation plazas. Others work at the Zoo, pioneering reproductive technology to safeguard several of Asia Trail's species, including giant pandas, from extinction. At the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat, engaging photographs tell the story of how these scientists brought giant panda cub Tai Shan into the world.

On these web pages, ZooGoer presents a guided tour of Asia Trail. Enjoy your visit, and many happy returns.


Get to Know Asia Trail

  • Asia Trail covers nearly six acres of the National Zoo.
  • The pathway through the trail is a little over a quarter of a mile long, including both the lower loop and the upper walkway.
  • More than 275 craft and construction workers built Asia Trail.
  • Construction on Asia Trail
    Construction on Asia Trail. (Jessie Cohen/NZP)
    It took 8,033 cubic yards of concrete, about 3,050 square feet of glass, and more than 400 tons of steel rebar to build Asia Trail.
  • Asia Trial was built with environmentally friendly, "green" elements. The walkway, for example, is made with tree resins instead of petroleum, and a plant-covered roof at the sloth bear habitat provides insulation and produces oxygen.
  • Asia Trail took two and half years to build and cost $52.7 million. Private donations of more than $24 million, including broad support from FONZ members, helped fund Asia Trail and associated conservation programs. Lead corporate sponsor Fujifilm and exclusive media sponsor Animal Planet supported the National Zoo with donations of $9.1 million and $5 million, respectively.
  • Sixty FONZ volunteers serve as exhibit interpreters on Asia Trail.

ZooGoer 35(5) 2006. Copyright 2006 Friends of the National Zoo. All rights reserved.

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