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RussianiZoofari Chat: Bear Awareness Days, Giant Panda Conservation
Posted at 3:51 pm April 17, 2008 by Dennis Corbran
Giant panda researcher Suzanne Hall gives us an update on how giant pandas are doing in the wild and what is being done to protect them in China. Hosted by Debbie Andreen. (15:00)
Watch pandas daily on Panda Cam…
Read blogs by Suzanne and others about giant pandas…
NEW! iZoofari Chats are an occasional series of interviews that put you in touch with the people who work for the Zoo and Wild Animal Park. Don’t miss another episode; subscribe to iZoofari Chats in iTunes or your favorite podcast aggregator.
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April 17th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Omg!!!! This site is amazing!!!! I love little Zhen Zhen!!!!! She is just the cutest little thing God ever created on his green Earth!!!!!!!!
April 21st, 2008 at 9:48 am
Suzanne you did it again, provide us great information about these extemely adorable animals. It sounds hopeful that the pandas can be around for my grand and great grand kids.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:13 am
As with so much going on in the world regarding habitat encroachment, global warming, loss of forest and jungle, I can’t imagine how many species are being wiped out daily. Just thinking of bees, something we all have come across daily during warmer months, and hearing the plight of beekeepers and farmers, it’s alarming! This is something literally in our back yards! For me this is why it is so important to support our zoos, their education of the public and conservation efforts. At this time of year the zoos are mobbed with school trips - it is my hope that these children walk away with information that they use, and that they become rebels for the cause of helping save our planet.
I’m looking forward to visiting the panda reserves in China and on my way home, meeting the Gao’s in early October! ! ! !
April 29th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Dear Suzanne and Others.
I have a question based upon what I have observed at Wolong: is there a danger at this point in letting
Su Lin and Zhen Zhen be together at least part of the time? I know Z is quite small but is it likely that Su Lin would pick on her?
One of the striking differences between the set-up at the zoo and Wolong is that the pandas there, especially the juveniles get to interact and play with one another. I wonder how healthy it is for all the pandas to be separated as they are at the zoo, and yet I also know that there are surely some concerns about letting them all be together. Can you sort this out, including the reasons why Gao Gao is not allowed to interact with Bai Yun or Su Lin.
Do pandas get lonely and need contact with other pandas?
May 5th, 2008 at 10:14 am
JDC #4,
We will not allow Su Lin and Zhen Zhen to play together at this time because the large disparity in size between them could be problematic. Even unintentionally, Su Lin could easily injure her younger sibling. It’s not a risk we are willing to take. Additionally, the scent of Su Lin on Zhen Zhen’s coat could be a stressor to Bai Yun, and we do not wish to upset her during this critical lactational phase. Undue stress can have a negative impact on milk production in mammals.
In Wolong, bears of the same age class are allowed to socialize. When the bear is a mature adult, it often will spend time in large pens with bears of other ages, all of whom are also adults. Space limitations at the Chinese facilities often require this sharing of space. Fortunately in San Diego we have room enough for each bear to have a dedicated space. No need to share!
May 13th, 2008 at 6:43 am
I am so worried about Mei Sheng as I read the earthquake had hit Wolong where the giant pandas are kept. I cried I felt so bad when I read it. I would appreciate knowing if Mei Sheng was still there or had he been shipped elsewhere. I felt so bad when she was sent there anyway and now this. Thankyou for any news about that “sweet boy”.
NEWS UPDATE (May 13, 1:10 p.m.): Reports from China state that the pandas at the Wolong Center were not seriously affected by the May 12 earthquake. We do not have information about the staff, guests, or facilities at the Center and are continuing our efforts to learn how our colleagues are doing. Our research technician, Jennifer Keating, is safe and sound in Beijing.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Hello,
At this time I am very worried about what could happen to Mei Sheng.
It is a very well known phrase “never is good to put all the eggs in a same basket”
It is time to think in dividing the only refuge in multiple refuges to areas with smaller risks
We could lose all the reserve of panda