the first person who discovered panda – David
Born in 1816 in a small town under the Pyrenees Mountains, Pierre. Armand. David showed his love towards nature from the childhood. He also liked adventures. When he was 36, he was sent to China by French Catholic Church. He have made three scientific explorations in China. The scientific description of various plants and animals is his outstanding achievements when he was a missionary in a catholic church in Baoxing County in Sichuan. And his discovery of panda, golden monkey and Hongtong made him reach the peak of his achievement.
In 1867, when he came to China for the second time, he came to work in the church in Huaxiba in Chengdu. Then he came to the church in Dengchigou in Baoxing County, where he discovered and named tens of plants and animals such as giant panda, golden monkey, and Asian black bear.
His achievements have been recognized by people and in 1872 he was appointed by French Academy of Sciences. He was also awarded and titled by other associations, but he declined these. There are more than 200 mammals recognized by him, in which there are 63 new species, in which milu is the most famous which is also called David’s deer.
He retired in 1874 and went back to France and started his scientific research and teaching. On November 10 in 1900, he died in Paris in 74 years old. We will always remember him.
From the talking by local people to the white marble memorial in front of the church in Baoxing County, we can feel the close relationship between the French scientist and panda. |
