Spanish
Chinese
German
French
Italian
Portuguese
Dutch
Greek
Japanese
Korean
RussianConserving Ursids: Giant Panda
Posted at 10:13 am May 8, 2008 by Suzanne Hall
Of the eight living species of bears, the giant panda is the only one currently classified as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This assessment is based on the estimation that less than 2,500 mature pandas live in the wild today, and this population is fractured into small groups of no more than 250 individuals apiece. Clearly, the most significant conservation threat to the panda is human encroachment: this results in less available habitat overall and fragmentation of remaining habitat.
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.
Listen to an iZoofari Chat with Suzanne about panda conservation…
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Scroll to the end to leave a comment. Pinging is not allowed.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Suzanne, thank you once again for a very interesting piece. I’m sure I remember many years ago hearing that Pandas were in trouble because their bamboo had died off . Being quite young I didn’t think or realise what could happen as a result. I am glad the Chinese have taken saving their Pandas so seriously. How awful would the world be without them?
May 9th, 2008 at 11:39 am
While it won’t raise enormous amounts of money, we can set our search engines to www dot goodsearch dot com, a program sponsored by Yahoo. The World Wildlife Fund and Pandas International are two of the charities that get a penny every time we perform a search or purchase items from their partner vendors through the GoodShop program. This program has raised over $2400 for the WWF; much much less for PI. PI is my designated charity. Every little bit helps our beloved black and white critters.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I should have double checked before my previous submission. Both San Diego and Atlanta Zoos participate in this project.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Thanks , Suzanne for another great informative piece, I remember a special on researchers who put barbed wire acrossed panda corridors so that way they could determine how many pandas crossed that area by the have on the wire. They did test on the hair and the results gave them an array of information such as sex, approxament age and relationships with in the group they studied. I’m glad more corridors are being established and the Chinese are implementing forestry programs. Happy Mothers Day everyone and especially to our big mama Bai.
I would like to wish a happy birthday to Jenny the Gorilla at the Dallas zoo who turned 55 years old today. This is a testament to the great care the keepers give their charges
May 9th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Mary #2,
WWF is a leader in work focusing on restoration of panda habitat and, by extension, wild panda populations.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Is it possible for a person from the US to volunteer his or her time in China to help plant more bamboo?
May 9th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Suzanne - Thanks for another informative blog about our beloved pandas & what China is doing to help preserve the species. The big problem will be trying to educate the people about the pandas needs - bamboo & room to roam.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Dear Suzanne,
Thank You for another wonderful article about the Giant Pandas and their habitats,and what is being done to preserve them. We are all truly blessed by the articles the SDZ staff provides us. Keep teaching us!
Denise in St. Louis: Bless you for wanting to help plant bamboo in China! I think it probably would grow in St. Louis as well….but
beware! Read the SDZ articles on bamboo and how it grows and spreads. Wouldn’t we all enjoy planting and then having a Panda in our yard!!
Everyone: Do Not Forget to WATCH our Polar Bears have their Snow Day!!!
May 9th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Thank you Suzanne for the detailed information concerning the pandas. I believe all we can do is hope and pray that China does the right thing to increase forestation and set aside more reserves so that the panda species will survive.
On a lighter note, I would like to resubmit the following:
Snow Day Photos: There are some wonderful photos of snow day at the zoo by kjdrill. Just Goggle
Baby panda Zhen Zhen’s first snow.
After enjoying the video, check out the slideshow that contains 87 photos. Included, there are some photos of Zhen Zhen interacting with panda keepers, Lindsay and Angie. Also in the montage, there are photos of Su Lin playing in the snow, and a few of Gao Gao eating his boo. Kjdrill was sure to get all our sweeties in the set. Lots of fun!
May 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Suzanne — Bamboo flooring and furniture are becoming increasingly popular…How do I make sure that a bamboo product was not made by ruining the bears’ habitat?
May 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Sammi (UK) - I just read that the Edinburgh Zoo may get 2 pandas next year - the agreement may be signed at the Olympics. If so maybe you could get there to see them.
Maureen
May 11th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Conversation with Gao Gao #34
Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
Gao Gao: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Now what’s going on here? You’re on your PDA again.
G: Oh, I’m managing some construction projects.
T: Construction projects?
G: I’m building tu lou complexes.
T: Huh?
G: You know, Chinese Hakka style housing.
T: Huh?
G: You see, here’s one of ‘em.
T: Shaped like the Roman Colisseum?
G: Here’s another.
T: Looks like motel building with square shaped foundation and central courtyard.
G: Yup. Only these will be fortresses.
T: Fortresses?
G: The walls are built with rammed earth 1 meter thick.
T: Oh?
G: There will be no windows on ground level.
T: Huh?
G: We’ll have well water and bamboo groves with LED lighting.
T: Oh?
G: The 2nd floor will be food storage and refrigeration equipment.
T: Impressive.
G: The 3rd and 4th floors will be VIP suites.
T: VIP suites?
G: Yeah, with trees, rock structures, caves, artificial ski slopes.
T: You aim to acquire ice making machines?
G: And there will be turrets.
T: Turrets?
G: Yeah, fitted with artillery.
T: Artillery?
G: To scare off snow leopards and other intruders.
T: So these will be closed communities?
G: Well, not quite.
T: You’ll integrate the communities?
G: We will link these buildings with catwalks on 4th level.
T: You sound like a madman.
G: No, I’m a romantic.
T: No kidding.
G: I’m building the ultimate harem complex replete with bamboo corridors.
May 12th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Has anyone heard if the panda centers have been affected by the earthquake in China???
May 12th, 2008 at 5:57 am
The Pandas would love PA today, it is snowing! I wonder if it is possible for the Panda staff, or anyone at all, to let us know if the Pandas and caretakers in Chengdu are ok since the earthquake? One more question from the knowledgeable bloggers, I can’t get LCNessie’s videos at all on Youtube, is it me or are they just gone?? Thanks so much, and Happy Panda day to all!
May 12th, 2008 at 6:30 am
My thoughts go out to all the people affected by the deadly earthquake in Sichuan province. I hope that all the staff and beloved animals are safe and well.
May 12th, 2008 at 6:31 am
Bad news of a horrible earthquake in China right outside of Chengdu. Please let us know if the Reasearch Center sustained any damage and if the panda’s and researchers are okay. Especially Mei Sheng and Hua Mei!
May 12th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Oh no, there was 7.8 earthquake in China - epicenter was in Chengdu - our hears go out to the people of China & of course are worried about the pandas & their keepers.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Oh no, there was 7.8 earthquake in China - epicenter was in Chengdu - our hearts go out to the people of China & of course are worried about the pandas & their keepers.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I just heard about the big earthquake in China, centered very near Wolong, with lots of human casualties. Communication doesn’t seem to be good, but I hope someone can keep us posted about the condition of the pandas and keepers there. Fingers crossed.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Any word on the research center in Chengdu after the earthquake?
May 12th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Suzanne– Can you provide an update on whether the China panda facilities were impacted by the earthquake? Thanks
May 12th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Just read about the earthquake in China. I know that the panda reserve is in Sichuan China. Any news as to how the reserve survived?
May 12th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Hi! Got some very bad news to tell all of the pandafans. Don’t know if any of you have heard this news yet or not, but MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News has reported that Sichuan Province, China, has had a severe earthquake that registered a 7.8 on the Richter scale today. The epicenter was about 100 miles from Chengdu, and the Chengdu panda research center is not too far from there. I am very worried about the panda center, the keepers, volunteers, researchers, and the pandas over there, and whether there has been any severe damage there. Please be praying for them. I think Atlanta Zoo has a cooperation agreement with Chengdu, and I’m hoping that they have heard from their researcher that’s been there doing vocal studies. So, keep your fingers crossed, you all! The Chinese news agency, Xinhua News, has said that the death toll there could be in the thousands. With the start of the Beijing Olympics about 3 months away, this is not what China needs right now! And the situation for the pandas at Chengdu is unknown at this time. I’ll be checking the Atlanta Zoo website to see if there are any news that they have received from Chengdu. Also, Atlanta, Georgia, had another round of tornadoes again over the weekend, and hopefully, the zoo escaped this latest storm! Atlanta has already been thru this back in March.
Haven’t been on the pandacam yet. Wanted to get on this comment line to let you all know about the Chengdu, China earthquake.
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
May 12th, 2008 at 7:51 am
While I don’t expect anyone to have any news quite yet, could anyone with updates let us know how the Wolong Panda Reserve was affected by the earthquake in China? The epicenter was in that area. I’ll have to go through the notes from the MSU researcher who was in the area last winter. I think her coworkers lived in the county that was most severely affected. You know we’re worried about our pandas.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Great story. I was dismayed to hear this morning that the huge quake in China was centered in an area not far from the Panda reserves. I hope that all are well. I’m sure that everyone was frightened and the loss of life is terrible. Politically we have issues with China but we share the concern about the people and pandas dealing with this quake.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:37 am
with the news of the earthquake in China especially in the area of Chengdu I just read a report from the panda reserve that the buildings shook but no major damage and the pandas are allright. They are checking all the buildings to make sure that they are safe and secure. Sadly they are finding bodies in the high school that collapsed and a large number of children ars missing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Chinese people at this sad and difficult time.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:47 am
I’ve just found out there’s been an earthquake close to Chengdu. Does anyone know if the panda’s are allright???
May 12th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Any word as to whether the terrible earthquake in China affected WooLong?
May 12th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Heard about major earthquake in panda reserve region. Were there any injuries at research stations?
May 12th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Is there any news from Wolong? According to the BBC, it is right at the epicenter. So much tragedy…
May 12th, 2008 at 10:00 am
I sure hope the pandas and their keepers in Wolong are safe and well after today’s big earthquake. We are all anxious for any news about them. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who were affected.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:03 am
The quake in China is massive. So many people have died or are missing that I am also concerned about the pandas since it was only 92 km from Chengdu. Could someone pass on any information they get regarding the pandas.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I heard about the earthquake in China today (7.8) and hope the pandas are ok. I’ve just checked on the panda club site and it says the cam is out because of internet problems - the earthquake? Anyone know any more, information is sketchy at the moment.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Hi, I hope somebody can give an answer to this question… Do you know if the areas in Wolong and Chengdu were damaged by the recent earthquake? Any news from the condition of people and pandas in that area?
Any info will be greatly appreciated it. Thanks!
May 12th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Please, have you heard anything from China post-earthquake?
May 12th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Does anyone know if everyone is alright at the Panda research facilities in China (huge earthquake)???
May 12th, 2008 at 10:54 am
About the earthquake in Sichuan, I feel very sorry for the people.
And, I am worried sick, BBC news reads “…the endangered giant panda may have been affected.” and “…- but the centre could not be reached by phone.” What’s next for the pandas, I worry.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Su Lin’s got snow. Did she steal some from the Polar Bears? She is going absolutely mad and rolling and tumbling and standing on her head. Love her.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:53 am
RE: earthquake in China
About 1,200 pandas — 80 percent of the surviving wild population in China — live in several mountainous areas of Sichuan.
The earthquake hit one of the last homes of the giant panda at the Wolong Nature Reserve and panda breeding center, in Wenchuan county, which remained out of contact, Xinhua said.
The Wolong PandaCam, a live online video feed showing the activities of the pandas at the nature reserve, stopped showing footage of the animals late Sunday night.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I just heard about the 7.8 earthquake in China. They said that in addition to about 9000 people having died they also talked about the Woolong Panda Reserve. Their Cam went dead and there is no transmission. Has SDZ heard anything yet?
The San Diego Zoo responds: This morning (May 12), a major earthquake hit Sichuan Province in China. The epicenter was just 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Chengdu. We have received word that the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center was not seriously affected. Our research technician, Jennifer Keating, is safe and sound in Beijing.
May 12th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Hi, again! Finally got on the pandacam. Saw Su Lin being her usual fun self acting like a little kid again! She was high up in a tree, then climbed down from the tree, ran around her exhibit area, played with bamboo and tree limbs, climbed and walked on the low tree branches, then went to the pool and sat there to cool off. It looked like at one point that she as going to lay down and catch a nap. NOPE! She fooled me when she decided that she was not having fun doing rollovers and somersaults! Haven’t seen ZZ yet, tho. Will probably check the cam later to see if I can see her before it gets dark.
I checked the Wolong Panda Center website to see if they had anything to say about today’s earthquake in China, and nothing yet. I know that they felt the tremor since it was felt as far as Shanghai and Beijing. Hope that they weren’t too rattled and the pandas weren’t too upset about this event. News reports are saying that nearly 9,000 people have died up to this point, and rescue efforts in going on now. Also found the Chengdu Panda Research Base website thru Google, and there was not anything about the quake on their website news either. I just hope that everything is ok there! Phone lines and electricity are still out over there.
Keep your fingers crossed and do some praying for China, ok?
Love to the pandas, their keepers at both Chengdu and Wolong!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
PS: P Wong, I read your newest conversation between Gao Gao and the tourist about the building that Gao wants to build. That was very cute, and I think I got the message from this one! I think Gao was thinking of building a huge house that would protect the pandas from everything that is bad in this world! What do you all think? That’s my guess, anyway!! BYE!!!
May 12th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Many thanks for the update. Glad Jennifer is safe; I’ll look forward to hearing more. Thanks again.
May 12th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Thankyou for the News Update on Wolong and the situation in China… I’ve been on pins and needles all morning waiting for word.
What a site on the webcam right now to lighten my heart, Zhen Zhen and Bai are rather playful… Just what the Dr ordered….
May 12th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Glad to know everyone is ok at Wolong. Have just watched the news and it is bad for the Chinese people. So many killed and many more injured. According to the news, their homes are not earthquake proof because this is not usually an earthquake area. Rescue teams went out immediately. My thoughts are with them at this awful time.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Thank goodness everyone at Wolong is alright. Thank you for the update.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Is the area the Mei Sheng is in stable as well? He’s not specifically in Wolong any longer, is he? I haven’t read the blogs in awhile, any news on him, especially now?
Thanks, and glad Jennifer is safe..
May 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Thank you, Moderator, for the update on Wolong. Thank God our precious pandas and the people who care for them are okay — also Jennifer. The NZ website said they had heard from Chengdu and they were not seriously affected. Not the case with many of the people in China. Whatever will this do to the Summer Olympics?
May 12th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Maureen #11, thanks for the info, i will try to find out about that. How exciting it would be if Edinburgh Zoo did get pandas.
So happy to hear that Jennifer Keating is safe after todays earthquake in China. I hope that the pandas are safe aswell. I just wish they would give us some latest news on Mei Sheng, even more so now.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
ZA reports that their staff member is safe at Chengdu. The NZ & all the zoos I’m sure are ready to help.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Maureen,#49 i have been on the website for Edinburgh Zoo and the news is that they should have two adult breeding pandas there in 2009. I will keep checking for any more news.
Thank you so much
May 12th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
P. Wong, Thanks for GG’s latest conversation. He is a sage “old” man after being born and surviving as a cub in the wild. He needs his harem to be secure because when it is his turn to return to China he will be very busy guy and will want protection for his “ladies” and his cubs from any intruders such as snow leopards, humans, earthquakes, etc. He can blissfully enjoy his pampered life as stud extraordinaire with plenty of real snow, lots of native bamboo, and the climate that the pandas are built to enjoy. That day is a long way off, and he now enjoys the tropical life with annual “snow day.” But, he still needs fortification against natural elements such as Tsunami and Earthquakes which can hit SD too.
Moderator’s note: We are actively attempting to get information about the status of Mei Sheng and the other pandas located at Bifengxia and will share that information on the Panda Cam page.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
My prayers go out to all who have been affected by the horrific losses created by nature worldwide. Thank you moderator for putting the news that is available with regards to Wolong up on this site.
Indeed Su Lin was really showing off around 11:43 Pacific time today! Watching the tree limbs ‘tolerate’ her is almost as amazing as her climbing and hanging upside down!!
May 12th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I’ve just read the e-mail sent by “Panda International” and reported the damages in Wolong.
They said the Chengdu Airport has been closed and 2.300 cell phone towers were knocked down by the quake.
The road to Wolong is heavly damaged and the access has been cut off, so emergency workers can’t get in.
The needs in the area to help the pandas and the care takers will most likely be great.
May 12th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Barbara # 26 - I just read that the China Wolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center “was out of contact”. This statement was made by the State Forestry Administration on Monday.
The article also mentioned that all communication services linking the center with the outside were out. The Forestry Dept. of Sichuan Prov. Gov. also had no information from the center.
I pray that we hear from our contacts in Wolong as soon as possible. Our prayers are with everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.