Zoo scoops triple success in inaugural panda awards

Published on 29/01/2013 12:00

Edinburgh Zoo is celebrating after landing international accolades in the first ever Giant Panda Zoo Awards.

Iain Valentine, director of the zoo’s giant pandas project, won a gold medal in the Human Panda Personality category, while male panda Yang Guang landed silver for Favourite Panda Outside China.

The zoo’s PR team also won a silver medal for their campaign promoting the Chinese duo’s first breeding season.

The awards, run by Belgian panda enthusiast Jeroen Jacobs, are to honour those who aid in the conservation of the endangered animals all over the world.

Mr Valentine said: “To have been voted for by panda fans across the world to win an award in all three categories is truly special.

“The awards are a great platform to increase awareness of conservation work for these iconic animals.”