A pair of pandas at the Moscow Zoo have made their predictions for the best-performing countries at this month's Winter Olympics in Beijing, the zoo said Thursday.
“The panda is a symbol of China and one of the symbols of the upcoming Olympics. Who better than them to feel the outcome of the competition?” the zoo said.
Ruyi and Dingding were each offered five identical traffic cones emblazoned with national flags.
“There were no treats in the cones and they were also equidistant from the exits to the outdoor enclosures,” the zoo said.
Ruyi sniffed around his choices before “tearing down” the German flag and chewing on the cone. He then frolicked around the enclosure before returning to the cone with the flag of the United States.
Dingding hesitated before ultimately “embracing” the Russian cone and then “knocking to the ground” the Chinese cone.
“Thus, the leaders of the Olympic Games’ team competition, according to the pandas, are: Russia, China, Germany and the U.S.,” the Moscow Zoo said.
The zoo said it plans to continue seeking Ruyi and Dingding’s expert commentary on individual and team competitions over the course of the Feb. 4-20 games.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
