Pandas Live on

Funny Panda with the watering hose

Dee — 2012-05-07T10:19:50-04:00

People ask if pandas like the water. I have never seen one actually swimming in any photos or videos but have seen them sitting in a pool of water and even splashing with their paws. Most memorable was seeing Tai Shan, who used to live at the National Zoo, having fun with the keeper as you can see in the photo below. Great capture by ajay*77.

Thanks to hugwildlife of YouTube, who found this article of the Chinese keepers providing some welcome relief from the heat in right now. Just adorable.

Playing it cool: Giant panda gets a soaking in sweltering temperatures

Hua Ao, of the Yantai Zoo, got defensive as his keepers at a Chinese zoo try and cool him down in 30c (86 F) heat. The rare bears usually live in cool forests and have thick fur so need help to stop over-heating.

By LAWRENCE CONWAY PUBLISHED: 13:05 EST, 6 May 2012 | UPDATED: 13:05 EST, 6 May 2012

When it's a hot, sunny and you are really feeling the heat there is nothing better than a cooling shower. But this giant panda at Yantai Zoo in eastern China seems to be finding attempts to cool him down a little too bracing. Keepers at the zoo decided to spray down giant male panda Hua Ao with a hose as temperatures in the town hit 30c.

But Hua Ao found their attempts a little too direct, raising his paws to block the cool water and backing away. At one point the giant panda, with its famous black and white fur, lost its footing as it attempted to get out of the firing line.

The gorgeous bear can be seen falling into a barrel roll as it decides staying dry is better than cooling down. The panda also takes to a wooden platform, peeking out from behind a post to see what's coming his way next .

I bet the next time the keeper comes around with the hose, he will find it alot more fun.

Chengdu and their Reintroduction Program

Dee — 2012-05-06T00:01:00-04:00

The Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding will be utilizing a new facility for their reintroduction program.

"Dr. Zhang Zhihe, the director of the Chengdu Panda Base said, we have spent the last 50 years helping to save the endangered giant pandas and we are committed to the healthy growth of the captive population and the reintroduction of captive giant pandas into the wild.

This demonstrates the unique commitment of the Chengdu Panda Base, and the historic commitment of Chengdu, the hometown of giant pandas.

The first giant pandas to be moved to the new facility are Xing Rong and Xing Ya aged four, Gong Zai and Ying Ying aged three, and Zhi Zhi and Qi Qi aged 2. These pandas are all sub-adults, or non-sexually mature pandas.

These pandas have been selected based on specific requirements. The requirements include age, health, gender, genetics, and character. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Dujiangyan Field Research Center for Giant Pandas is located in giant panda habitat in Majiagou, Yutang Town, Dujiangyan, in Sichuan province.

The total investment planned for the project is RMB 0.3 billion and the construction area planned for the Center is 2,004 mu. Upon completion, the Center will be able to hold 30 to 40 giant pandas and 50 to 100 lesser pandas, also known as red pandas."

"The giant pandas reintroduction research that will be conducted in the Dujiangyan Field Research Center will focus on giant panda breeding, rescue, disaster relief and conservation education. Emphasis will be placed on giving giant pandas more opportunities to learn and practice their survival skills, and gradually reduce human interference until giant pandas can live without human assistance in the wild. This will help to establish a transition buffer zone for reintroducing giant pandas into nature reserves, and propel the future ecosystem rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Longmen Mountain area. This will mean that the most remote nature reserves will now get more protection and technical support".

"Through the hard work of generations of people, 161 giant panda cubs have been born, to 109 litters. 119 of those cubs have survived, and there are currently 108 individuals at the Chengdu Panda Base. This is the largest self sustainable captive population in the world. It is hoped that this population will be able to rejuvenate the wild population when reintroduction becomes possible.

50 years after the first giant panda was rescued, six giant pandas are heading to the Dujiangyan Field Research Center to begin the lengthy process of reintroducing captive animals to the wild."
Source: CRBGPB.

Two different programs to help introduce pandas into the wild

Dee — 2012-05-05T00:01:00-04:00

Between the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the China Research & Conservation Center for the Giant Panda, scientist are trying different methods for releasing giant pandas back into the wild.

Today we will cover how the CRCCGP program is set up and progressing.

At the CRCCGP, "Reintroduction is underway both at the old Wolong Panda Center, Hetaoping, in sections not damaged by the earthquake and at the Bifengxia Center. When the new Wolong Panda Center is completed, the reintroduction area will be at Huangcaoping.

After the unfortunate death of Xiang Xiang, the entire reintroduction program was reevaluated and scientists determined it would be better for the animal being released never to have had direct contact with humans. There are currently five mothers and cubs in the reintroduction program. The mothers are placed in a semi- wild enclosure and give birth with no human intervention in manmade dens. The cubs are cared for by the mother while being monitored by caretakers. Behavioral research has already shown there is increased communication in the semi- wild enclosures between the mother and the cub. Since the cub can get out of the mother’s sight, she is constantly calling to the cub and making sure he/she is in sight and safe.

Vets and caretakers dress in panda suits when they do health checks and move the cubs. The hope is the cubs will have a natural fear of humans if they are released. The first cub born under this program was Tao Tao born to Cao Cao." Source: Pandas International.

Tao Tao was born on Aug. 3, 2010, weighing in at 205 grams, at a semi-wild panda training center in Hetaoping. At Hetaoping he was raised with as little human interaction as possible. In February 2011, Tao Tao and Cao Cao were transferred to a separate enclosure to undergo the second stage wild training at the Wolong Nature Reserve, where Tao Tao learned several basic survival skills from his mother, such as climbing and gathering food.

Here is an early video of mother and cub during their first phase of wild training and their movement into a larger area which would begin Phase 2.

Now we have news that Tao Tao has now been transferred into his third and final stage of wild training.

This is the update from the CRCCGP website, "According to the current project planning, the giant panda to receive training at least need to go through three training phases to fully return to the natural environment. "Tao Tao's entry into the third phase of Field Training Area was built in 2003, is located in the upper part of the second phase of the Field Training, the altitude of 2150 ~ 2500m, the forest vegetation type, plant composition, bamboo species and the environment the second phase of Field Training Field Training area of approximately 240,000 square meters. "Tao Tao" in the third stage the main objective to strengthen the movement and orientation, to learn to look for shelter, strong vigilance, and ability to escape; with similar exchanges, initial independent living. Field Training and research methods used in the third stage is similar to the second stage, an additional "Tao Tao" predators and associated animal identification, as well as the ability to avoid predators training. "Tao Tao" the last will be the expert assessment after it has completed the third stage of the training objectives, will be formally released into the wild".

You can read more about Tao's move at this link: Panda trainers prepare panda for Wild.

In the meantime, another mother, Cc and her twins are currently going through Phase 1, where Cao/Tao just graduated from. She gave birth on July 8, 2011 and all are doing well as you can see in these two photos.

The new base that will take over for wild introduction in Huangcaoping is still under construction, thanks to Panda International for these photos of the new base. It is scheduled to open sometime in the Spring of 2012.

Where in China do the wild giant pandas live?

Dee — 2012-05-04T11:56:49-04:00

As we are learning more about the introduction into the wild programs that the Chengdu base and Wolong base are preparing, lets learn more about where most of the wild pandas are currently living.

Top 10 Panda Habitats in China - 10/31-2011
Source: CNTV

Giant pandas, one of China's national treasures, are endangered but loved throughout the world. Living in the bamboo forests at an altitude of 2,000-4,000 meters in the country's western provinces including Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu, they subsist on a diet of bamboo and tree bark.

In the past 14 years, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda has sent 16 pandas to zoos around the world. Their adorable appearance attracted a great number of visitors.

According to the third national giant panda survey published in 2003, there are 1,596 adult pandas in China, among which, 1,206 pandas live in Sichuan Province.

To protect the animals, several breeding bases and more than a dozen nature reserves for pandas have been built. The following are the top 10 reserves and breeding bases in China.

NO.10 Longxi-Hongkou National Nature Reserve

Built in 1993, the Longxi-Hongkou National Nature Reserve is located in Longchi Town, 25 kilometers northwest of Dujiangyan city, Sichuan Province, covering an area of 34,000 hectares. It is on the west bank of upper reaches of Minjiang River, which belongs to the water source protection zone at upper reaches of Minjiang River.

The reserve is one of the most important panda habitats. About 10 to 20 wild pandas live in the subtropical mountain forest at 1,400-3,400 meters in altitude, enjoying the habitat's abundant food supply. The pandas share the reserve's natural resources with other precious wild animals such as golden monkeys and leopards.

NO.9 Heishuihe Giant Panda Nature Reserve

Heishuihe Giant Panda Nature Reserve is located in western Dayi County, Sichuan Province, covering an area of 450.2 square kilometers.

With massive forests and wide rivers flowing through the reserve, Heshuihe is home to a large variety of protected species, including the giant panda and golden monkey.

The reserve's altitude, moderate temperatures and humidity and other natural conditions are suitable for the growth, breeding and inhabitation of pandas. Abundant plant resources in the reserve provide pandas with their favorite bamboo throughout the year. About 30 wild pandas live in the area, one of the largest numbers of any reserve in Sichuan province.

A rescue center, an academic center and 10 protection centers for pandas have also been established in the reserve.

NO.8 Wujiao Panda Nature Reserve

Wujiao Panda Nature Reserve is located 45 kilometers southeast of Jiuzhaigou Town, covering an area of 36,349 hectares. In 1993, it became a provincial-level nature reserve.

There are 170 types of wild animals of 47 sections living in the reserve, including 26 nationally protected animals. The reserve houses 54 pandas in total.

NO.7 Wanglang National Nature Reserve

Established in 1965, Wanglang National Nature Reserve is one of the four earliest-built nature reserves for the protection of giant pandas, other rare wild animals and their habitat. Situated in Pingwu County, north of Mianyang city, it covers an area of 32,297 hectares.

The virgin forest in Wanglang is one of the best-preserved northwest Sichuan, an important area for the living of pandas which have connections with the panda species in Minshan Mountain.

Based on the statistics of the third national giant panda survey published in 2003, there were 27 pandas living in the reserve, all of them wild. The number now may have further increased. The panda's habitat inside the reserve covers an area of 19,701 hectares, accounting for 61 percent of the total area.

NO.6 Shaanxi Foping Nature Reserve

Foping Nature Reserve is located in the Qinling Mountains, covering an area of 35,000 hectares. It was established in 1978, for the purpose of protecting giant pandas and their habitat. The reserve has been included in the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) of UNESCO.

The area's climate ranges from subtropical to temperate, warm and moist under the influence of the monsoon season, suitable for the survival of pandas. Farges cane and umbrella bamboo are the major food source for giant pandas here.

The area is home to a large amount of pandas. After over 30 years of protection, the number of pandas in the reserve has reached 110-130. In the area with high density of panda population, there is one panda every 0.48 km2, the densest of any reserve in the country.

A few brown-white giant pandas, instead of the typical black-white, have been found in Foping. In 1985 when they were found for the first time, a first-day cover of stamp for the uniquely colored pandas was released.

NO.5 Tangjiahe Nature Reserve

As one of China's major giant panda habitats, the Tangjiahe Nature Reserve is located in Qingchuan County on the northwestern edge of Sichuan Basin, approximately a five-hour drive from downtown Chengdu.

Established in 1978, Tangjiahe Nature Reserve covers an area of 40,000 hectares. Wild pandas are spotted frequently in the area of 1,700-3,000 meters in altitude, where the arrow bamboo and other food resources are rich. About 60 pandas are known to be living in the reserve.

The reserve was named a Grade I nature reserve by World Wildlife Federation, making it one of the hotspots for the protection of global biodiversity.

NO.4 Gansu Baishuijiang National Nature Reserve

Established in 1978, Baishuijiang National Nature Reserve is located in Wenxian County, south of Gansu Province. The whole preservation zone is in the shape of a ribbon, 110 kilometers long east to west and 20 kilometers wide north to south. Covering an area of 183,799 hectares, the reserve is by now the largest reserve in the country and even in the world for the protection of giant pandas, and other rare wildlife. It was formally included in the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) of UNESCO in 2000.

The mild temperature, abundant rain, luxuriant forests and good ecological environment prove to be an ideal place for the growing of 11 types of bamboo – including giant pandas' favorite four types -- an encouraging sign that giant pandas can live and multiply well here.

The number of pandas living in the reserve has reached 140, accounting for 10 percent of the total number in China.

NO.3 Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding

Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding, or Chengdu Panda Base, is a non-profit research and breeding facility for giant pandas and other rare animals. It is located in Futou Mountain, north of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, covering an area of 37.3 hectares.

Founded in 1987, Chengdu Panda Base started with 6 giant pandas that were rescued from the wild. Currently, the captive panda population in the base has grown to 108.

To protect the panda species, increase its population and help them adapt to life in the wild, the base has established a wilderness training area for pandas, preparing for release into their native habitat. Ten thousands of bamboo stalks, pandas' favorite food, have been planted in the area.

The base has established partnerships with many organizations, including foreign zoos such as Zoo Atlanta, to forward its conservation efforts.

NO.2 Sichuan Bifengxia Panda Breeding Base

Opened in 2004, Bifengxia Panda Breeding Base is a giant panda breeding facility in Ya'an, Sichuan Province for raising and breeding, protecting the species and increasing the panda population. It is the world's largest center for captive pandas, home to more than 80 of the animals.

The base is divided into six zones including the feeding area, breeding area, research area, office area, bamboo area and living area. Currently there are 12 baby pandas ranging from 5 months to 9 months living in the "kindergarten."

The Overseas-born Panda Paradise in Bifengxia live six pandas born outside of China, such as Tai Shan born at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington D.C., and Su Lin and Zhen Zhen from the San Diego Zoo.

Each year, more than 1,000 people from all over the world apply to be volunteers at the base. Volunteers typically work from a few days up to three months.

NO.1 Sichuan Wolong National Nature Reserve

Built in 1963, the Sichuan Wolong National Nature Reserve is one of the earliest reserves in China. It is located in Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture, only 120 km away from the urban area of Chengdu, and covers an area of 200,000 hectares.

The reserve, the home of more than 150 highly endangered giant pandas, is an ideal place for pandas to live and reproduce. The high altitude and humid air are suitable for the growth of pandas' favorite bamboos. The number of pandas in the reserve accounts for 10 percent of the total number of pandas in China, which is why Wolong is called "the hometown of pandas" and a "precious gene bank".

The reserve also has a field observation station for pandas and a panda museum.

In 1980, Wolong was approved to join the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) of UNESCO. The same year, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda was jointly established here with World Wildlife Fund (WWF). By the end of 2010, the center had bred 165 pandas, accounting for 60 percent of the total number of artificially bred pandas.

Editor:Sun Luying |Source: China.org.cn

Live Tweeting of Panda Artificial Insemination!

Dee — 2012-04-30T16:19:56-04:00

Its all about learning and you can't beat this. Tune in now, 4:00 pm EST, U.S. to follow the scientist as they perform their second AI on Mei Xiang this breeding season.

Here is the link: Smithsonian National Zoo Twitter

Also check out this update on this breeding season on their website afterwards. National Zoo Breeding Update.

Stay involved, you have to believe you can make a difference!

Dee — 2012-04-25T20:12:35-04:00

We just celebrated Earth Day 2012.

Why is it important to have a day where we acknowledge that we, as human beings, play a vital role in the well being of our planet? If we don't consciously think about the choices we make everyday and more importantly, stay involved to care for our planet and all that live on it, we and future generations will be battling consequences beyond what any 3D Sci-Fi mega movie can come up with.

This past year was a milestone for the future of giant pandas. It was not realized until the last decade, that the number of existing wild pandas was at a critically low level bordering on the brink of extinction. Through research/field studies scientists discovered that not only were the pandas not reproducing in adequate numbers to sustain their population, but the habitat that they thrive in has just about disappeared, so the world has had to step in to help to prevent their extinction.

With these findings, the Chinese along with the help of scientist around the world, developed a plan to breed a captive population of 300 pandas in China. With this number, they believe they may be able to save the pandas from going extinct, in the event wild pandas can no longer survive.

This is the reason why we are seeing so many more pandas making their way into zoos around the world. Having achieved that goal last year, a phenomenal achievement by the way, the Chinese are now getting other countries to help in providing homes for some of these captive bred pandas.

But let's not forget about those pandas that are still living in the wild. I hope you are not content with the possibility that having only captive pandas living in zoos on this planet is acceptable, as some do.

China has delegated large reserves for the remaining pandas and are currently working on a new census so that we can see how well the existing population is doing. You can be a part of this work by keeping up with the zoos that are making homes for the captive pandas, museums, wildlife organizations and universities that participate in panda research. Ask questions, let these organizations know you care not only about the captive pandas you see in the zoos but you want to know what is being done for those who still live in the wild and how you can help with this.

It's not enough to be satisfied having achieved the goal of raising 300 captive pandas and breathe a sigh of relief, we still have a long ways to go. No matter where you live in the world, all panda trails lead back to China. Through your active involvement, the sentiment you express will make its way back to China and through this we can affect change.

China is the only country that holds the tremendous responsibility of the one place in the world where the pandas make their home.

As my Dad used to say, "Nobody said life would be easy". I used to get so mad with his reply, when I sought his advice over a problem I was dealing with. But you know what? It taught me a valuable lesson in life and one that has provided me with the willingness to persevere through those challenges that befall us.

As Earth Day represents a reminder for all of us to stay involved in our planets future, you can make a difference, don't become complacent, Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants will continue to need our help each and everyday.

Happy Earth Day 2012

Dee — 2012-04-22T08:24:51-04:00

Thanks so much to Explore.org, the multimedia organization of the Annenberg Foundation, who is featuring a new live HD feed of panda cubs at the Bifengxia Panda Reserve in China to commemorate the 42-year-old Earth Day.

Click here: China Panda Cubs Cam

Here are a few photos taken by panda.monia during their recent trip to the base. Thanks for sharing these moments.

These two shots show 2 year old QuinQuin (2011)

Infrared cameras providing unique insight into the life of wild pandas

Dee — 2012-01-03T00:01:00-05:00

Oh, how exciting it would be to view the photos that the infrared cameras are capturing of the ever illusive wild panda. China is making great use of these cameras in their reserves and they are revealing behaviors that are creating more questions then answering them. But all of these questions will certainly help scientist to better understand the pandas behavior, habitat, food sources and other elements that they require to survive.

Here is an article that discusses this very topic and an interesting discovery they made with their cameras in China.

Panda shows carnivorous side

Updated: 2011-12-31 09:35

By Huang Zhiling (China Daily)

CHENGDU - To most people, the words "giant panda" conjure up thoughts of a gentle and slow vegetarian living in captivity.

But digital photos taken on an infrared camera in Sichuan province, home to more than 80 percent of the pandas in the world, are making many question the accuracy of such notions.

A wild panda captured by an infrared camera eating a dead wildebeest in a forest in Pingwu, Sichuan province, on Nov 9, 2011. [Provided to China Daily]

Recently monitoring the panda habitat at the Laohegou State Forest in Sichuan's Pingwu county, near the Baishuijiang Panda Nature Reserve in neighboring Gansu province, researchers came across a strange find. It was a dead adult wildebeest that had been trapped between rocks in a ravine in late October.

"The wildebeest must have got stuck when it was running and then died," said Chen Youping, chief of the Pingwu-based State-level panda reserve.

The researchers also noted signs that another animal had been eating wildebeest's leg.

"To learn what kind of animals would be feasting on the wildebeest, researchers installed an infrared camera near it on Oct 28," Chen said.

The camera was retrieved on Dec 8. To the researchers' surprise, its roughly 600 photographs showed that the wildebeest was being eaten by a giant panda.

The ravine where the wildebeest was found is nearly 2,000 meters above sea level and is covered with snow and ice, which prevented the wildebeest from decaying.

The first photo of the panda was taken around 11 pm on Nov 9. It began eating the wildebeest around midnight, after becoming accustomed to the artificial lighting the researchers had set up.

"The panda, whose sex is unknown, was a great eater with a mouth full of meat," said Shao Liangkun, who is the chief of the general office of the Wanglang Nature Reserve and who installed the camera near the wildebeest.

"Because the camera's memory was full at 5 am on Nov 10, we don't know what happened afterward."

Researchers in Pingwu, which is home to 230 of the 1,597 wild pandas in existence, began installing infrared cameras to monitor the panda five years ago. Since then, they have installed more than 100 there, Chen said.

About a month after installing a camera, reserve employees would retrieve it to change its batteries and memory card.

"An infrared camera starts taking photos only if it senses heat," Chen said. "This carnivorous panda used up all the camera's memory card within a single night."

Infrared cameras in Pingwu have captured pandas exhibiting various behaviors - rutting and attacking sheep.

"But this is the first time an infrared camera in the county has shown a panda eating meat," Chen said.

Chen, who has found animal bones in pandas' droppings before, said he feels lucky to have seen the photos. He said he wishes workers had tried to ascertain how much meat the panda had eaten and to analyze its droppings.

"Droppings would help researchers understand the digestion of pandas, which usually eat bamboo," he said.

He said researchers from the reserve will visit the ravine next week and conduct an investigation.

Pandas were meat-eating animals several million years ago. As a result of changes in the environment, they changed their dietary habits and began mainly to eat bamboo, Chen said.