Tourists too excited on mounts? Two panda sculptures at Keelung’s National Museum of Marine Science and Technology “lose paint” in two days

Reporter Chen Ziying / Comprehensive report

Keelung’s National Museum of Marine Science and Technology recently displayed the Badou Panda sculptures as part of a public art exhibition. In addition to the original black-and-white giant pandas, there are also colorful small pandas. Their playful appearance is quite adorable and has attracted visitors to bring their children to see them. However, this weekend, some visitors noticed that the Badou Pandas couldn’t withstand being “ridden” by tourists, and parts of the colorful pandas have already lost paint.


▲ The museum displayed colorful small pandas as part of the public art exhibit, which were very popular with children. (Photo / Provided by the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology)

The museum authorities stated that interaction has always been part of their educational approach. For the public art exhibition, they specially displayed colorful paper pandas made of fiberglass. Originally intended as a kind gesture to encourage interaction between children and the pandas, they did not prohibit “riding” behavior. However, unexpectedly, within just two days of the exhibition, the pandas’ backs showed multiple signs of “paint loss” due to children getting overly excited and riding them roughly.

To reduce damage to the panda sculptures, museum staff move the pandas indoors on weekdays and only display them outdoors on holidays. However, the staff also mentioned that they are not currently considering banning touching the pandas, as they still hope children can learn through play during the interaction. Therefore, for now, they are mainly verbally urging the public to “take care” of the pandas.