Habitat pressure from an ever-increasing human population is a common problem for many endangered species. In China, where the population is thought to have exceeded 1.32 billion last year and continues to grow at a reasonably slow rate of 0.6% per year (as of 2003), nearly 8 million people are added annually. Housing and feeding these people, and supporting the amazingly fast economic development of China, requires resources. The clearing of land for agricultural purposes represents a significant threat to the panda today.

Fortunately, the Chinese government began taking action to protect the panda in the latter half of the 1900s. A system of panda reserves was created to set aside habitat for the bear, whose populations had already contracted into the shrunken spaces allotted to them. Unfortunately, the subpopulations have been isolated from one another, separated by farms and restricted to high mountain areas.

Some corridors have been created recently that could allow for movement of bears between subpopulations, and efforts to replenish bamboo in low-lying areas of some reserves have begun. Steps such as these aim to mitigate the impact of past habitat fragmentation, but the current small groupings of bears and their relative isolation from one another remains a great challenge to the species. Not only does such fragmentation limit genetic exchange and reduce the potential for mating opportunities, but it makes the panda especially vulnerable to food shortages.

As you know, the panda subsists nearly exclusively on bamboo. Usually, this food source is an abundant, fast-growing plant that literally surrounds the bears in their habitat. However, the bamboo life cycle is such that at intervals the plant will experience a mass die-off, affecting nearly all plants of that species. When this occurs, pandas must switch to alternate bamboo species to fill their stomachs. Unfortunately, another side effect of habitat fragmentation is that switching to another species of bamboo may not be a viable option for some panda subpopulations. Chance plays a role in determining the abundance of various bamboos in a particular pocket of habitat, and if a panda was unlucky in that it lives in an area with a low diversity of bamboo species, it could be stranded without food. Without good corridors connecting pockets of habitat, the pandas within areas of mass die-off may starve.

According to the Red List, the most significant factor in conserving the panda today is habitat restoration. To this end, China has worked to increase forestation in and around reserves. Several programs banning logging and discouraging hillside farming in previously forested areas have been implemented. According to a 2006 report of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, these progressive policies have resulted in gains in forested area in China. Continued progress with such efforts should ultimately benefit the panda, as well as other species that share its habitat.

How can you, as a concerned global citizen, contribute to efforts to improve the outlook for this endangered bear? Since the government of China is the largest agent in promoting positive changes for the giant panda, it may seem that an ordinary person might not be able to have an impact. However, it is possible to offer support to organizations that work with the Chinese government to encourage conservation efforts for the panda. The World Wildlife Fund has a long history of such partnerships with Chinese ministries responsible for maintaining the panda population and currently has several habitat-oriented conservation efforts in place. Additionally, supporting efforts to promote panda research within China, using Chinese scientists, can increase pressure on the Chinese government from within. The San Diego Zoo collaborates with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, promoting the work of Chinese researchers who are studying the ecology of wild pandas.

The bottom line: preservation of wild populations of pandas is primarily dependent upon the restoration of panda habitat in China. The Chinese government holds the cards in this effort. As a global citizen, you can make the greatest difference by finding a way to contribute to continuing and future efforts to increase forestation, set aside more reserves, and reduce habitat fragmentation. With improved efforts in these areas, we may soon see the giant panda removed from the endangered species list.

Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician with the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Unit.

Su Lin, after some necessary trimming of the elm tree there, is now in the classroom area, and this increasingly lively sub-adult bear continues to grow as she approaches her full adult size. Her third birthday is August 2. She will not mature until she’s about five years old but until then will remain energetic and engaging. In the meantime, she’s been busily checking out her space. Between the tree modifications, the fact that this was the first large outdoor space she knew, and her increased size since her last time in this area, Su Lin has a lot to process. Moving up to an old favorite napping spot, she requires a bit more maneuvering to get settled, but she seems to be doing just fine.

Last week’s snow day for Bai Yun and Zhen Zhen lasted longer than expected. That enclosure usually gets more sun and warmth, and it was so unseasonably warm I was surprised to see any snow at all by that Monday. Even more surprising was ZZ’s apparent oblivion to it on Day 2: she had so done snow the day before! Pockets of snow continued to stay up through the week, especially in the “cave,” and by the end, ZZ was grabbing these small pockets of ice, gnawing on them and tumbling down the exhibit slope. Needless to say, a good time was had by all, especially the guests and those of our Cam-watchers who had the good fortune to catch it!

Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.

Don’t forget Bear Awareness Days are May 8-11 and panda keepers and researchers will be giving talks. See schedule here…

Each year for this event, the San Diego Zoo tries to come up with fun and interesting auction items that the public can bid on. All of the money that we raise with these items goes towards supporting bear conservation. Auction items included bear paw prints and behind-the-scenes tours here at the Zoo. The auction begins on Monday, May 5.

So, have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Giant Panda Research Station? For this year’s event, we’re auctioning off a one-of-a-kind experience: a behind-the-scenes tour of the Panda Station. If you’re the highest bidder, you’ll meet with a panda keeper and get to tour our state-of-the-art research facility. You’ll learn all about how we care for our pandas, and you might even get to have a private viewing with one of them. During the tour, you’ll learn all about our ongoing research projects and how our research efforts are helping the conservation of this highly endangered species. A behind-the-scenes tour of Polar Bear Plunge is also being offered for auction!

So please come join us here at the San Diego Zoo during our Bear Awareness Days. It’s sure to be an exciting event with lots of fun opportunities to learn about bears and ways that you can help support their conservation needs. And be sure to check out this year’s auction items. If you’re a panda fan, I’d highly recommend bidding on the behind-the-scenes tour of the Panda Research Station or Polar Bear Plunge. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Pamela Crowe is a research technician for the San Diego Zoo.

Listen to iZoofari chats with our bear keepers and researchers…

Help the Zoo’s bears and bear research in the wild by donating to our Bear Wish List…

Morning guests have been treated to seeing her up and about at various times throughout the last few mornings, and as she solicits interaction with Bai Yun while Bai is eating her bamboo, we’re seeing the diverting behavior in Bai that we affectionately call “Talk to the Hand” (or “Paw” in this case!). Front or hind paw, it’s all the same: anything that Bai can do to deflect her obstreperous youngster while she continues to munch. It’s kind of neat to see the familiar cub-rearing behaviors again and again. Bai was such a young sprout, it seemed, when she first arrived. It’s been a joy watching her mature and mellow into maturity and experienced mothering.

It’s been a while since Gao Gao was out front, and many of you are anxious to know how the “Big Guy” is faring. I had the privilege of observing a training session behind the station last week and was reminded what a special, personable, unique panda he is. Eager to please, sociable, and enthusiastic, he quickly responded to the keeper’s commands—sometimes even before they were given! Remember that here at the Zoo, training is done to facilitate the care and husbandry of the animals, making check-ups and routine procedures stress-free and easy for the animals and the keepers. The behaviors require a deep level of respect and trust between staff and animals, and regular practice insures that this goes smoothly, whether opening a mouth for a tooth check, standing up on hind legs to facilitate a physical inspection, or reclining for an ultrasound. Even in our Wegeforth Bowl and Hunte Amphitheater show areas, training highlights natural behaviors that would help an animal survive in its native habitat; they are not doing “tricks.”

And what of Su Lin? She is still her sweet, charming self, continuing to charm guests as they first enter the viewing area. Not quite her full adult size, she retains some of that cub-like quality that the younger bears have; she may weigh about 140 pounds (64 kilograms), but retains that playful nature. Not at all sure of what was going on as an acacia tree was being transported through Panda Canyon yesterday, she dropped her bamboo and raced to the rear corner of her exhibit near the base of the tall poplar tree, ears alert and posture ready to take to the high ground if she felt threatened. But, hey—it was only a tree moving by, and once it was gone, she settled back into the breakfast routine and then to nap. Not as feisty as her younger sister, she nonetheless has her whimsical moments and is not above hanging upside down in a funny but highly undignified fashion, the kind of behavior that keeps panda fans in stitches!

It can be hard to see the gang from the various camera angles as the trees in the exhibits leaf out, and ZZ can get up to the top of what’s been left of the pine tree (another of her favorite spots to sleep), out of Panda Cam range, but rest assured that the crew is doing fine and enjoying these beautiful days of spring.

Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.

Listen to an iZoofari Chat with panda keeper Kathy Hawk…

This is the norm for panda cubs. With each of Bai Yun’s previous youngsters, we have seen them take to the trees at about six months of age. Once their climbing skills come on line, they remain ensconced in high branches for hours on end, and at about the 17th month of life they begin to spend more time on the ground. There are two factors which are driving this trend in their preference for high places: evolutionary history and dietary preferences.

After abandoning the den, the female panda forages far and wide for the bamboo she needs to meet her caloric requirements. Her youngster may not be able to keep up with mom as she traverses her habitat. As such, mom can probably reach her objectives quicker if the cub is stashed somewhere safe while she satiates herself. To this end, young panda cubs are often left alone by their mothers. In some cases, wild cubs have been noted as being left alone for more than 24 hours at a time.

Historically, panda cubs are at risk of predation by animals such as tigers, leopards, and martins. In order to reduce the likelihood of succumbing to predation, solitary cubs climb high and remain several meters above ground until their mother returns. This makes them a harder target, since their clumsy, slow gait on the ground would be easier pickings for a stealthy predator. Additionally, cubs spend hours and hours asleep up in those trees. When they are resting quietly in the branches, they can be hard to spot. Even our cubs, sleeping in trees pruned to allow for better visibility for our guests, can easily be overlooked.

Today, pandas have fewer predators than they did historically. Tigers are generally not found in what remains of panda habitat, and leopards are found in reduced numbers. But the drive to remain safe is still the same and is exhibited even in pandas housed in zoos and breeding centers.

Since young pandas rely on their mothers for their nutrition, they are able to fill their bellies with milk. It seems a bit unfair, but as mom is stuck ingesting low-calorie grasses, the cub enjoys a highly caloric meal with fats to aid in growth (and satiation!). In fact, when our nutritionist aided the Wolong staff in the development of a formula for hand-reared panda infants, the mixture was a hybrid of human and dog formula substitutes—a richer food source than many of you might have predicted given the bamboo-feeding tendencies of the panda mother. This appetite-quenching meal from mom can help keep cubs content for hours on end, allowing them to wait patiently for mother’s return from foraging bouts.

At about a year of age, panda cubs begin ingesting bamboo. Initially, the quantities ingested are very small and can’t account for much in the way of meeting caloric needs. But within a few months, some of the burden for satiating themselves shifts to the cubs and their new bamboo feeding skills. Perhaps their ever-increasing size requires more calories than mom can provide, or perhaps as maternal fat stores become depleted, this alters the caloric content of mother’s milk. Either way, cubs begin spending more time on the ground, increasing their time spent feeding and focusing more heavily on bamboo consumption.

This, of course, is in preparation for life on their own. When weaning occurs, the cub is well equipped to feed itself and meet its caloric needs without its mother. Even in the final days of mother-cub association, nursing may be occurring, but not at a high rate. At that point, most of the young panda’s nutrition is coming from direct ingestion of bamboo and other plant materials.

Zhen Zhen is nearly a year away from making that transition. She hasn’t even begun to ingest bamboo yet and won’t for several more months. Which is why she will continue to enjoy spending most of her time in the high perches of her enclosure. As frustrating as it may be for our Zoo guests or Panda Cam watchers to have limited visual access to our cub at times, we hope you will understand that this is a normal and healthy part of our little one’s life, and we would expect no less from her. She is showing us that, like her siblings before her, her panda instincts are right on track.

Suzanne Hall is a senior research technician with the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Unit.

Note: Snow Day for pandas has been moved up to Sunday, April 27!

We begin the evening by doing an introduction between Fei Fei and Wu Gang. There is very little bleating and chirping, but it is early in the evening and not everyone is warmed up. The keepers decide to have a short introduction between Fei Fei and Ling Ling. Ling Ling (male) arrived the day before from Wolong’s other facility. He takes one look at Fei Fei and climbs to the highest point in his indoor enclosure. This happens to be a metal basket that we call the “panda hammock.” Ling Ling sits there hoping Fei Fei will go away if he is perfectly quiet and still. Because there is no chance that Ling Ling will come down from his panda hammock, Fei Fei is taken back to Wu Gang’s exhibit.

Things have progressed in the evening, and Fei Fei and Wu Gang are bleating and chirping constantly. The keepers are now put on standby. Several of them are up on the roof with extremely long bamboo poles. Next to each of these keepers are piles of apples to be put on the end of the poles just in case the pandas decide to fight instead of breed. The head keeper gives the “go” signal and Wu Gang is literally let out of the gate. Unfortunately, to Wu Gang’s surprise, Fei Fei doesn’t really like him. She turns very aggressive and barks at him to the point that he is running to the other end of the exhibit. A keeper opens a side gate and he runs out as fast as possible.

Now, Lu Lu has been pacing inside his den hoping that he will have his chance with Fei Fei. She is moved into his outdoor exhibit and signs are looking good for breeding. The keepers on the roof relocate, taking their bamboo and apples with them. Once in position, Lu Lu is let out of the gate. There is no question that he is ready to breed and the two of them get straight to business. Immediately after breeding, Fei Fei tries to go after Lu Lu with her right paw and barks very loudly. Before Lu Lu has a chance to fight back, there is a floating apple right between his eyes, and he is completely distracted. As Lu Lu eats the floating apples, Fei Fei is moved back into her exhibit and everyone begins to celebrate!

Response from Comments:
Many of you have asked about Mei Sheng and if I have seen him. Before I arrived in Wolong, Mei Sheng had already been moved to another facility belonging to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. He is too young for breeding and they needed every inch of space for breeding season. Hua Mei (pictured) is here and doing great. Her cubs are playing in the kindergarten area with all the other cubs from last year.

Jennifer Keating is working in Wolong, China as a research scientist for the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous blog, Early Mornings in Wolong.

Initially I was amazed with how much she had grown and how mobile she was. When I last worked in Panda Canyon, she was still tucked away in her den and did not yet have the ability to move around, much less walk. When I saw her next, not only was she in the outdoor exhibit; she was up in the tree: high up in the tree! At first I was concerned, but then my fellow keepers told me that she does that all the time; the trick is to get her to come down.

Bai Yun seemed comfortable with the keepers and focused on her food more than her little black-and-white bundle of joy. When Zhen Zhen was younger, the slightest strange noise would send Bai Yun into a heightened state of mind, but now she seemed primarily unaffected by the commotion around her and her cub.

As we started raking up the morning bamboo, Zhen Zhen made her way down from the tree. I was impressed with her coordination as she traversed down to the ground. She waddled over to us and wanted to play. Initially she wasn’t sure if I could be trusted and gave me a sideways look. But after she sniffed my hand, her curiosity and playfulness took over and she climbed into my lap as if we were old friends. Maybe she remembered my smell? Maybe not. I let her play with her food bucket. She wrestled it around and clumsily pounced on it. Three minutes of that and she was bored, so I gave her a small piece of apple to practice gnawing on. Apples win as one of the panda’s favorite treats.

All fun must come to an end, so we left the little bear to bamboozle with her mom. I am looking forward to another meeting with our smallest giant panda.

Heidi Trowbridge is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.

What has happened to our normally mellow Su Lin? Could it be that as she grows up, she’s becoming more like her elder half-sister, Hua Mei? Mei was famous for her rampaging romps around the exhibits, especially when displeased by the bamboo selection or the order in which the exhibit bears were being fed (meaning she wasn’t first!). Guests were utterly charmed and Hua Mei eventually began to play to the crowd as she grew.

Whatever the reason for Su Lin’s lively display, it was a lot of energy expended by a usually placid bear and a joy to watch.

Ellie Rosenbaum is a panda narrator at the San Diego Zoo.

The breeding center tends to be lively if one of the giant pandas is interested in breeding. There are ten exhibits in the breeding center and I make a stop at each one to see if I can record any males bleating or females chirping. This is the perfect time of day to collect recordings because the only background noise I have to compete with is the whistling of birds in the trees of the steep mountainsides.

Once the keepers arrive, I head off to breakfast, because the only thing giant pandas can focus on now is their massive pile of bamboo. By the time I return, the giant pandas are interested in each other again and tend to start vocalizing. During my check-in with the keepers I make sure they haven’t moved any of the giant pandas during morning cleaning. This process always involves a lesson in Chinese pronunciation, sign language, and my list of all the giant pandas here in Wolong. Everyone involved in this process always ends up laughing by the time we are done! Throughout of the rest of the day I watch for changes in any of the giant panda’s behavior that could be signs of wanting to breed and listen for bleats and chirps throughout the facility.

Jennifer Keating is working in Wolong, China as a research scientist for the San Diego Zoo. Read more about her project in the blog, Look Who’s Talking: New Research on Panda Vocal Communication.

Any visitor to our panda exhibit at the San Diego Zoo or our Web site knows that we’ve had a long-standing interest in how pandas communicate. Why are we so interested in knowing what pandas are saying to each other? There are many reasons, but mostly because communication is fundamental for successful reproduction. Without communication, mates would be unable to locate one another or negotiate the delicate courtship process leading to mating. Our previous studies into the olfactory communication behavior of the giant panda have shown that scent-marking signals convey information about individual identities and readiness to mate, as well as facilitating sexual motivation prior to mating. Wolong’s use of this information to change the way their pandas were managed for breeding contributed to the dramatic increase in successful reproduction seen there.

In contrast to olfactory signals, however, less is known about the role that vocal signals play in giant panda reproduction. While quiet and solitary most of the year, pandas use a bewildering array of vocalizations when they come together for mating. It is likely that these elaborate vocalizations help pandas negotiate the delicate transition from their normally solitary and aggressive tendencies to mutually beneficial sexual behaviors, and they also may play a role in female choice of a mate. More than two decades ago, Devra Kleiman and Gustav Peters conducted some very interesting studies on the two pandas at the National Zoological Park. These studies gave some valuable insights into panda acoustic communication, but a study on more animals using new technology is needed.

So that’s the “why;” next comes the “what.” This kind of work requires expertise in a very specialized field known as bioacoustics. We have partnered with Zoo Atlanta, who last year hired just such a person, Ben Charlton. Ben recently received his Ph.D. in this field and is spearheading a major collaborative effort to learn more about how pandas produce these vocal signals, define the acoustic structure of the vocalizations, and, ultimately, understand what they mean to pandas and how they contribute to breeding readiness. This research is a collaboration between us, Zoo Atlanta, the Wolong Breeding Center, and the Chengdu Giant Panda Base. Ben is working mostly in Chengdu, and Jen is working mostly in Wolong. Jen is another person with extensive experience in bioacoustics, which is why we hired her to assist with the San Diego Zoo’s part of the collaboration. Over the coming weeks, Jen will report to you from Wolong and you will learn more about her, Wolong, the research program, and, most of all, pandas! Enjoy!

Ron Swaisgood, Ph.D. is co-head of the San Diego Zoo’s Giant Panda Conservation Unit

New video of Zhen Zhen is now posted…