Panda purpose

Published on Friday 6 August 2010 14:57

I see the Chamber of Commerce has stepped in to back Edinburgh Zoo's attempt to obtain giant pandas (your report, 4 August).

Given that First Minister Alex Salmond has already described the potential contract between the zoo and the Chinese government as "primarily a commercial transaction", will the zoo now come clean about the real reason for wanting to be the only UK zoo to display this species?

If the zoo needs any help, it's in the words of the chamber's deputy chief executive when he said pandas would be "the largest draw on offer to any zoo, and a great benefit to the city in general".

Well, it certainly can't be for any conservation purposes.

CRAIG REDMOND

Campaigns director

Captive Animals' Protection Society

Manchester