Operation Santa Claus has been targeted by robbers in Concord, New Hampshire, and gift cards amounting to $3000 have been stolen, police officers have reported.

Apparently, between November 25 and November 30 James Pechacek, aged 23, forcibly gained access into a state-owned vehicle located on Stickney Avenue, by smashing the window of the padlocked New Hampshire Transportation Building, where the car had been stored.

According to authorities, by breaking and entering into the warehouse, the man managed to extract gift cards worth approximately $3000, which were designed to be used at several retail stores, including Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Target.

The cards had been collected by a local charity, as part of Operation Santa Claus, an initiative which has been going on for the last five and a half decades, with the ultimate aim of bringing a smile on the faces of needy children, during the winter holidays.

Pechacek is also alleged to have snitched several tools which he had found in the van, such as an electric saw, a rotary hammer, as well as a nail gun.

The heist was discovered on November 30, when police officers were summoned at the scene of the incident, in order to assess the damages.

An inquest was carried out, and Trooper Mark Magoon asked the public to assist in catching the perpetrator, whose identity had initially remained unknown.

Eventually, after searching Pechacek’s house, investigators collected evidence which clearly established a connection between him and the robbery.

The suspect was apprehended by law enforcement, and has been accused of felony burglary. The arraignment, during which the defendant was to be officially informed of these charges, was scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 3.

Currently, investigators are carrying out a full inventory of all the items that had been collected by the State Employees’ Association of New Hampshire (SEIU Local 1984), as part of Operation Santa Claus, so as to determine if any other objects have been stolen.

As police representatives have declared, the crime has been extremely difficult to fathom and process, since the burglar had no qualms stealing donations which were destined for underprivileged children.

In addition, the larceny has undermined the work of so many volunteers and charitable individuals, striving to make a praiseworthy contribution at this time of the year.

According to Andrew Toland, a representative of the State Employees’ Association, the organization has succeeded in covering the damages incurred following the robbery, and the amount of gifts that children will be receiving this Christmas thanks to Operation Santa Claus won’t be diminished in any way.

Also, extra security measures have been taken so as to prevent such unfortunate incidents from occurring in the future, and law enforcement has increased its presence in the neighborhood.

Image Source: Pixabay

A Mississippi man has killed his father and stabbed his mother after a fast food dispute, police officers have revealed.

Purvis resident Ronald Pritchett, 32 years old, had decided to spend Thanksgiving Day alongside his parents, 58-year old Percival and 57-year old Renitta. As a result, in anticipation of the holiday, he had traveled to their home in Gretna, the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, in Louisiana.

Apparently, as they were having dinner on Wednesday night, an argument broke out over the fact that the couple had contacted a restaurant to have fast food delivered at their house, and had failed to order a portion for their son as well. The confrontation, which had initially seemed just a petty quarrel, rapidly escalated.

Fearing the worst, Renitta and Percival locked themselves in an upstairs bedroom, but Pritchett had already grabbed hold of a knife and managed to break the door, in order to attack them.

After fatally injuring his dad, and stabbing his mother as well, the perpetrator fled the residence, in a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, which his father owned.

According to Colonel John Fortunato, spokesperson of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, when first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered that Percival Pritchett had sustained several deep stab wounds to his chest.

In contrast, Renitta Pritchett had suffered minor head injuries, which didn’t appear to pose a risk to her survival and recovery.

The victims were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, but Percival had been so brutally wounded, that he was pronounced dead soon afterwards.

On the other hand, Renitta was treated for her non-life-threatening injuries, and has since been released from hospital, according to Aleis Tusa, representative of the University Medical Center.

Ronald Pritchett was located by law enforcement on Thursday, November 26, shortly following his return back to Purvis, Mississippi. He had been staying with some relatives, and was found in a guest house from which he refused to emerge, upon being summoned by police officers.

Due to the fact that the fugitive had resisted arrest, after making sure that everyone else had left the building, deputies released dogs inside, so as to facilitate Pritchett’s capture. Eventually, the suspect came out, after suffering several minor bites, and has been taken into custody.

He is currently being detained at Lamar County Jail, but given that he is outside the jurisdiction where his crimes have been convicted, it is expected that on Monday, November 30 he will be transferred to Jefferson Parish.

He is facing several charges, including second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, as well as motor vehicle theft.

Image Source: The New Orleans Advocate

An ex-marine is accusing American Airlines of size discrimination, after he was required to leave the plane due to being considered too overweight.

On Friday, November 20, Chris Shelley, from Huntington Beach, Orange County, boarded an American Airlines flight, which was supposed to take him from Dallas, back to John Wayne Airport, in Orange City.

The 50-year old man, who currently works as an engineer, had been assigned the middle seat, right next to an ageing petite woman, who had been given the aisle seat.

Shelley could tell that his fellow passenger had been unhappy having him as her seat mate, since she had begun fretting nervously. Soon afterwards, he saw her get up and head to the front of the plane.

It didn’t take long for the woman to return with an American Airlines gate agent, who asked the retired marine to take his belongings, and deplane at once.

Shelley was struck with consternation at having received such a command, but afterwards was told that his body covered two extra inches beyond his own seat, and as a result he could not be allowed to take the flight anymore.

The middle-aged man, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 10 years, admits that he’s built like a linebacker, being around 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds.

As the veteran explains, he was about to be kicked off the plane due to his built, and the flight’s crew had been completely reluctant to offer any solution so that he could continue his journey.

Even worse, the airline employee specifically told him that there had been complaints that he was simply “too big” to occupy that seat, and added insult to injury by providing him with a seatbelt extender.

Eventually, after pleading with the passenger who had initially moaned about him to simply switch seats, the woman accepted, and that’s how he was allowed back on board, and was able to finally arrive at his destination.

Shelley normally travels over 100,000 miles per year, and will soon earn 1 million frequent flier miles. In fact, he has been using American Airlines more than 80 times a year for businesses purposes.

However, he had never experienced this type of unfair treatment before, even though a couple of years ago he actually weighed around 70 pounds more.

According to him, the plane’s crew behaved unkindly towards him, as if he was a “fat criminal”, and it has been extremely embarrassing and upsetting to be subjected to such ridicule and discrimination just because he is somewhat overweight.

As a result, he has written a complaint and filed it with American Airlines, so as to detail his nerve-racking experience.

Meanwhile, airline representatives have extended their apologies to the disgruntled customer on 3 occasions, and offered him 10,000 frequent flyer miles, but Shelley isn’t too gratified with these excuses.

What he claims now is that the spokesperson has more or less admitted that employees can do as they please, no matter how regrettable their behavior might be.

As a result, he is seeking written apologies from the flight’s gate manager, pilot and attendant, as well as assurances that he won’t be added to a no-fly watch list, especially now that he has another flight scheduled on Monday with the same airline carrier.

In another statement issued for Eyewitness News, American Airlines officials have once again apologized to the passenger, insisting that the crew had simply tried to accommodate the man’s seatmate.

They have also began an inquest to find out exactly how the incident unfolded, and to identify the accountable parties, so that such situations can be avoided from now on.

Image Source: Kiro TV

A Florida store clerk has been fatally shot hours before his retirement, it has been recently revealed by law enforcement.

Ali Arezoumandifar, who was 79 years old and had been working at a Liquor Market in Boynton Beach, had sold the store a while ago, but was trying to show the new owners the ropes, before they took over the business.

He had planned that Sunday, November 22 would be his last day spent at the liquor shop, and his family had been eagerly waiting for him that evening, to celebrate his retirement with a homemade dinner.

That’s when they were contacted by police, who gave them the shocking news that Arezoumandifar had been fatally shot.

So far, it’s unclear how his murder occurred, and if the elderly man tried to fight his attacker. Apparently, theft might have been a motive for the crime, given that the cash register had been open, and its contents had been missing.

According to law enforcement, Arezoumandifar’s dead body, bearing a single gun shot wound, was found slumped on the floor, behind the counter, at around 8:10 p.m., when a shopper entered the store.

Arezoumandifar had been the victim of another robbery on 27 October, when a man wearing a black mask tried to flee after having stolen a pile of stratch-off lotto tickets, worth around $300.

At the time, the shop owner had tried to pursue the perpetrator, and managed to get a hold of him as he was climbing into his car. However, when the robber started his engine and drove away, Arezoumandifar was pushed to the ground, hurting his face and head.

Following that event, the store clerk’s family insisted that he should retire immediately, and also warned him never to try and resist attackers or go after them.

Boynton Beach Police Investigator Marco Villari was the one assigned to help identify and apprehend the thief, and that’s how he developed a friendship with Arezoumandifar, whom he took to the hospital and got to know and respect.

That is why now that he has to make an inquest into his pal’s death, Villari is particularly shaken. As he explains, crimes involving theft are obviously condemnable, but when lives are taken the loss is incommensurable.

It is likely that the two robberies may have been connected, police officers now speculate. In the October theft, two suspects had been identified: a man and his girlfriend, who had also robbed a 7-Eleven store, located at 744 W. Boynton Beach Boulevard.

During that heist, they had pilfered lottery tickets, cashing them soon afterwards at the same store and at a Shell gas station.

The thieves had finally been arrested on November 7, and taken into custody on several different charges, including drug possession.

Given that there hadn’t been enough proof at the time to link them with the Liquor Market incident also, they had only been accused of having committed the 7-Eleven robbery.

One of them now has an alibi, given that he is still behind bars, while the other one is considered a person of interest in this case, and has been interrogated by investigators.

An inquest into Arezoumandifar’s death is under way, but it’s being hampered by the fact that there were no surveillance cameras in the liquor store.

Therefore, law enforcement is asking anyone who might have important information relevant to this fatal shooting to contact them at 561-732-8116, or to reach out to Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County, at 800-458-8477.

Image Source: WPBF

A Dark Vader impersonator attempted a Jacksonville Beach robbery, but was deterred by a store clerk, it has recently been reported.

According to Jacksonville Beach Police Department representatives, Jacob Jeremy Mercer, 32, tried to rob an 8 till Late convenience store, on 1375 3rd Street South.

At the time of the crime, which took place on Sunday, November 22 at around 5:30 p.m., Mercer was wearing a Darth Vader disguise, so as not to be recognized on surveillance cameras.

The costume comprised a helmet, as well as an armor with a chest control box, coupled however with regular light blue sneakers and black pants.

As reported by commander Mark Evans, the man had been armed with a silver revolver, and demanded that the shop employees empty the register drawer, and relinquish its contents.

However, the clerk who had been asked to open the cash register refused to comply, and instead decided to try and disarm the robber. That is when he grabbed a jar of blue cheese dressing and hurled it at the culprit, hitting his helmet.

During the scuffle, a bottle of wine also smashed on the floor, and eventually the robber dressed as Darth Vader fled the store unceremoniously.

When he was outside, the thief pulled off his mark, and people could finally see his face, which he had been carefully hiding until then.

A witness, who didn’t wish to reveal his real identity and asked the media to refer to him as “Ricardo”, recounts that he had been terrified to watch the scene as it unfolded, especially when he came face to face with the culprit. As Ricardo reveals, Mercer had a bloody countenance, because the glass container had broken his nose bridge.

The failed robber scampered and jumped into his getaway car. Despite the fact that Ricardo had tried to hunt down the man in his own vehicle, when Mercer ran through a stop sign, and headed towards First Street, his pursuer was no longer able to continue the car chase.

However, police managed to retrieve the silver vehicle with New York plates, pertaining to the suspect, on South Fifth Street.

The perpetrator, originating from Tonawanda, New York, was eventually arrested by law enforcement, at a nearby place, where he had been residing.

Police found ammunition and several guns in his backpack, and the witness confirmed that Mercer had been the one who had robbed the convenience store. The thief was taken into custody, at Duval County jail, and also required hospitalization following the injuries he had sustained during the robbery.

A spokesperson from Jacksonville Police Department has declared that no other people have been hurt in the incident. Charges have been laid against Mercer, for attempted armed robbery, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

It’s not actually unprecedented for perpetrators to use the Darth Vader disguise while robbing stores. One such incident occurred in May 2012, in a Toledo, Ohio bank, and more recently, back in March, another armed robbery featuring a Darth Vader impersonator took place at another bank in Pineville, North Carolina.

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Massachusetts will be replacing Common Core testing with another type of state exam, it has recently been reported.

Until recently, the Massachusetts State Board of Education had been a steadfast supporter of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which had been spearheaded by the National Governors Association (NGA) and by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

The purpose of this project had been to heighten accountability, by establishing exactly what academic knowledge K-12 students should possess, after completing each grade.

The initiative focused on assessing mathematical skills, as well overall literacy (skills related to language, reading, writing, speaking and listening, media and technology).

The standards had been established in June 2010, and had been adopted by a vast majority of the U.S. states as a means of determining student progress.

However, recently some states such as Oklahoma, Arizona, South Carolina and Indiana have ceased to back this initiative, switching to other means of evaluation, and it appears that Massachusetts will also join their ranks.

Following extensive deliberation, the State Board of Education has announced that it would no longer be using the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) evaluation, consisting in computer-based tests throughout the course, accompanied by other streamlined exams at the end of each year.

In its place, following Common Core’s official repeal, another type of assessment will be introduced, which will be based on the former MCAS examination and designed at state level, in order to ensure that students can successfully meet the expectations of their college professors and employers.

This is a huge blow to Common Core advocates, given that the Bay State is famous nation-wide for its top-notch primary and secondary education, having been ranked first in the National Assessment for Educational Progress for 10 years.

It is expected that other states will also follow in its footsteps, by renouncing their allegiance to these controversial academic standards.

This may please numerous parents, who have claimed that the PARCC assessments are excessively difficult and frequent, causing their children unprecedented levels of stress.

In fact, in New York, around 200,000 K-12 schoolkids have opted out of these tests, and such actions supported by parents have also become increasingly common in California, New Jersey and Colorado.

Teacher unions, which had initially been optimistic when the Common Core standards were introduced, have also complained that having to constantly test students results in greatly reduced time for actual instruction.

In response, the Obama administration has declared measures would be taken to reduce the frequency of examinations, so that they represent just 2% of the time spent in class.

Another problem that teachers reported is that the same year when Common Core was launched, teachers’ annual evaluations began taking into account their students’ test scores.

Based on how many schoolchildren from that class have passed the PARCC exams, the tutor is granted a rating, being labelled as “highly effective”, “effective”, “developing” or “ineffective”.

Two consecutive “ineffective” scores can result in the teacher’s dismissal. The probability of receiving such evaluations is greater than ever, now that pupils’ grades have been nose-diving due to their inability to meet impossibly high learning benchmarks.

Given that it seems that just around 20 states and the District of Columbia appear to be willing to back the Common Core standards now, it may be time for education experts to review the effectiveness of the guidelines they had attempted to impose at a national level.

Maybe a different set of tests should be designed, which could allow assessing the pupils’ real level of knowledge with greater accuracy and objectivity.

Image Source: Pixabay

The missing Rucki sisters, whose disappearance was reported back in April 2013, were recently found safe at a horse farm in Herman, western Minnesota.

Sixteen-year old Gianna Rucki and seventeen-year old Samantha Rucki have been discovered by law enforcement at the White Horse ranch on Wednesday, November 18. It had been a joint effort by the Minnesota police department, and by the U.S. Marshals Service.

The two teenagers appeared to be healthy and well, and authorities are now speculating that in fact the girls had been reluctant to be found.

On the other hand, David Rucki, who is the girls’ father, has been overwhelmed with joy that his daughters are actually alive and safe, given that it had been such a long while since he last saw them, and he had been fearing the worst by now.

Following their emotional reunion, the long-suffering dad has asked for privacy, so that his recently reunited family can gradually heal, and overcome the traumatic experience of being separated for this extended period of time.

The Rucki sisters had been missing for more than 2 years, and had been sought ever since by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Their disappearance had coincided with a bitter custody war between their parents, who had dissolved their marriage in May 2011.

At the time, the girl’s mother, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, accused her husband of having abused her and her children, while David Rucki insisted that he was innocent.

A court-appointed mental health expert evaluated the daughters, and determined that indeed they had been brainwashed by their mom into believing horrid things about their father, in a classic example of parental alienation.

Initially, sole custody of the couple’s five children, including the two daughters, was granted to Sandra Grazzini-Rucki, but after an appeal this verdict was reversed, and back in September 2012 the girls’ aunt, David Rucki’s sister, was the one who obtained temporary custody.

When this new decision was challenged by Sandra Grazzini-Rucki in April 2013, the court maintained its ruling, but shortly afterwards the girls went missing.

While they were in hiding, a local TV station managed to interview them, and that’s when they claimed that they had chosen to leave because they knew they could no longer stay with their mother and hadn’t wished to reside with their emotionally and verbally abusive father.

On the other hand, Lakeville police officers maintained that the girls hadn’t left of their own accord, and had probably been influenced by their mother, supported by anti-family court activists.

It’s unclear exactly how law enforcement managed to receive information regarding the sisters’ whereabouts. Their dad had been contacting police on a weekly basis to see if they might have a new lead in the case, while their mom had been constantly uncooperative.

Apparently, back in August details emerged suggesting that the girls’ mother orchestrated their disappearance, and was keeping them in hiding.

Witnesses stepped forward to recount how they had last seen the two teenagers leaving their aunt’s residence and stepping into their mom’s vehicle, who had picked them up and taken them away.

Eventually, Sandra Grazzini-Rucki was apprehended by police officers in Orlando, Florida on October 18, and charged with 3 counts of felony deprivation of parental rights.

However, when police interrogated her, she claimed that she had no idea where the girls might be, and that she didn’t have any connection with the way they vanished. As a result, she is still being kept in custody, under a $ 1 million bail.

Now, officials believe that Grazzini-Rucki was indeed involved in the disappearance of her daughters, and that she was probably aided by an entire network of relatives and friends, so as to keep the girls hidden from their father.

An investigation will be carried out by the Lakeville Police Department, in order to process all the evidence, and determine what really occurred on the day when the sisters went missing, and how they remained unseen by any locals for so long.

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A Washington judge has rejected a group of kids’ climate change petition, but their lawyer still believes the ruling can be seen like a win to some extent.

Eight environmental activists, with ages between 10 and 15, called for the state of Washington to create and implement stricter legislation against the harmful effects of climate change.

Their purpose was to ensure that officials would be required by law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions even further, so that global warming could be curbed and no longer continue unabated.

They had been supported by a non-profit organization called Our Children’s Trust, whose aim is to assist in protecting and preserving natural resources so that future generations can lead a better life, in a clean and healthy environment.

Another conservation group that had sided with the children had been Plant for the Planet, which promotes awareness of global justice and climate change, while the non-profit public interest Western Environmental Law Center had been the one providing legal assistance.

However, on Thursday Judge Hollis Hill from King County Superior Court rejected the appeal, stating that the general jurisdiction of the court didn’t cover the way policy-makers conceive their guidelines.

On the other hand, Hill did state that the Washington Department of Ecology had already been taking measures in order to reduce man-made pollution resulting from the burning of fossil fuel.

Apparently, new regulations are currently being prepared in an effort to combat the harmful effect of industrial activities on the ecosystem. Law-makers are considering studies conducted by scientists regarding the implications of climate change, as well as other political and socio-economic factors.

According to Andrea Rodgers, attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center, the court’s decision can still be considered a victory, given the fact that the judge has supported the idea that the state does have a obligation to protect children against the damages resulting from global warming.

Although Hill has ruled that the court didn’t have the authority to call for the Department of Ecology to introduce stricter laws, she was in agreement with the fact that the state government should abide by the Clean Air Act adopted by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Moreover, she also insisted that Washington authorities should undertake efforts to ensure that the following generations can still exercise the constitutional right to a healthy environment.

As she explained, it’s imperative for adults to take action now in addressing global warming, because the survival and well-being of their offspring hinges on these measures, which can no longer be delayed.

Legislation that is currently in place is indeed ineffectual, and unless additional, stricter rules are passed, it won’t be possible for children nowadays to “grow to adulthood safely”.

Meanwhile, Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, has claimed that while the ruling may be pleasantly formulated, it does little to advance the fight against climate change.

In contrast, Maia Bellon, Director of the Washington State Department of Ecology, has welcomed the court’s decision, stating that Governor Jay Inslee is leaving no stone unturned to prepare legislation in accordance with environmental expectations.

She also praised the petitioners for their active involvement and preoccupation with curbing global warming, and declared that their input will be taken into account when preparing the state’s final legislation in this field.

Apparently, several other lawsuits of this kind, initiated by kids demanding more stringent rules against climate change will follow in Oregon, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Colorado and North Carolina.

Image Source: Pixabay

On Tuesday evening, hundreds of people attended the second vigil for US student Nohemi Gonzalez, who was killed in the Paris terrorist attacks.

The 23-year old from El Monte was a senior at California State University Long Beach (CSULB), majoring in industrial design. She had been chosen to be part of an international student exchange program, and was spending one semester at Strate School of Design in Paris, alongside 16 other CSULB students.

On Friday evening, November 13, she was with her friends at La Belle Equipe, a cafe bar in Rue de Charonne, in the 11th district, a popular tourist spot for those wishing to experience the true charm of the French capital.

That is when gunmen opened fire on the sidewalk terrace of the cafe, killing 18 people, among whom there was also Nohemi Gonzalez.

This was actually part of a series of coordinated attacks, claimed by the ISIS jihadist extremist militant group, in retaliation for France’s military interventions in Iraq and Syria.

A total of 129 people were killed during the Paris massacres. More than 80 of them perished at Bataclan concert hall, during a hostage situation led by 4 terrorists. There were also 3 bombs detonated at the Stade de France stadium, during the France-Germany soccer match.

Several other shootings and explosions occurred across the 10th and 11th districts, at Le Petit Cambodge and Le Carillon on Rue Alibert, at Casa Nostra pizzeria on Rue de la Fontaine au Roi, at Comptoir Voltaire on Boulevard Voltaire and at Boulevard Beaumarchais.

Nohemi Gonzalez was confirmed as the first American casualty of the Paris terror attacks. Other fellow students who were with her during the shootings managed to escape alive after scattering across the area.

Niran Jayasiri, 29, who was part of that group, initially thought he was hearing firecrackers, but then saw the attackers and immediately ran and hid in a grocery store. After frantically trying to contact his longtime pal and check that she was alright, he realized her mobile phone had been stolen a few days before.

Upon calling another student who had been at their table, he was told that Gonzalez had been fatally shot. The news came as a horrible shock to him and others who knew the talented, vibrant student, whose optimism and positive vibe were contagious. As Ana Ramirez recalls, her friend was a “beautiful soul”, with an unforgettable smile.

Another friend of hers, Andrew Calder, still reminisces of how they would watch ‘Pocahantas’ together, attend concerts or eat at McDonald’s.

During the candlelight vigil, which took place at Whittier High School, where the young woman graduated in 2010, many friends, teachers, family members, fellow students and acquaintances shared such memories, as they celebrated the life of their loved one, whose death was so sudden and heartbreaking.

Another tearful vigil was also held at California State University Long Beach, where the first generation American-Mexican was mourned, and remembered as a strong, committed worker, with big dreams which she should’ve been allowed to achieve.

A memorial fund has been set up on the DonationTo online platform, if anyone wishes to help Nohemi’s family with funeral costs, so as to cope a little easier with this tragedy.

Image Source: DonationTo

The panda cub known as Bei Bei will soon delight Washington Zoo visitors, it has been announced on the facility’s official Twitter page on Tuesday, November 17.

The giant panda bear, which is currently three months old, is scheduled to make its debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park on January 16, according to representatives of the popular tourist spot, which charges no admission fees.

Born on August 22, Bei Bei has already learnt to crawl, and has even taken its first few steps. While at birth it weighed a measly 5 ounces (140 grams), now its total weight is at approximately 12.5 pounds (5.7 kilograms).

Therefore, as zoo officials have revealed, the adorable bear cub is already larger than his siblings had been when they were at the same age.

Bei Bei is the offspring of Mei Xiang, one of the most beloved panda bears among zoo visitors. He had actually been born alongside another cub, who unfortunately died shortly afterwards.

Bei Bei’s father is Tian Tian, a 275-pound panda bear who was born in 1997 at the Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda, in Sichuan Province, China.

Tian Tian has actually sired a few other panda cubs as well, such as Tai Shan, born on July 8, 2005, and Bao Bao, born on August 23, 2013. However, on this occasion, and on prior ones as well, this has only been possible through artificial insemination.

While attempts have been made to ensure that Mei Xang and Tian Tian would mate naturally, that has never been achieved, given that they were both born in captivity, and experienced difficulty when they tried to reproduce.

Despite conservation efforts, giant panda bears are currently on the verge of extinction. Nowadays, just around 1,600 survive in the wilderness, while about 300 are being held in captivity.

Overall, breeding giant pandas in confined spaces is an extremely difficult process, for several reasons. For example, the “fertile window” of the female pandas’ reproductive (oestrus) cycle lasts around 2 or 3 days, and occurs just once a year, typically during spring.

According to Pierre Comizzoli, research scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, in captivity this timeframe is reduced to about 36 to 40 hours, and given that male pandas seldom perform as expected, artificial insemination is usually preferred so as to not let this incredibly short period pass by.

Moreover, even after these fertility procedures, it’s difficult to assess if the female giant panda is indeed pregnant, since its progesterone levels don’t change, and there are frequent instances of pseudo-pregnancy behavior such as nesting, eating less and sleeping more.

Pregnancy duration is also strangely variable, ranging from 3 to 6 months, and fetuses are incredibly difficult to identify in ultrasounds, given the fact that they are so tiny in comparison with their mothers’ abdomens.

In addition, newborn panda cubs are highly vulnerable in the first two weeks, requiring constant feeding and care, and many fail to survive into adulthood.

This is why Bei Bei’s addition to the National Zoo is so important and highly anticipated. While the official debut will take place on January 16, it has been announced that previews for Zoo members will be held between January 8 and January 15.

Image Source: Twitter