UPDATES: From China to U.S.A.

Low birth rate feared for quake zone pandas

China Daily reports on two articles that pertain to giant pandas. 

Damage to wild panda habitats in the quake-hit Sichuan province would affect breeding by the endangered species, although captive pandas' numbers were expected to increase this year.

"Wild pandas must store energy before moving to higher altitudes for reproduction between March and July, but most of the bamboo plants in the habitats were buried in the quake, making it difficult for wild pandas to find food," said Zhang Hemin, director of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in the Wolong nature reserve. "This will affect their  reproduction.

"We are worried the birth rate will decrease this year," he said

The 8.0-magnitude quake last May left one panda dead, one injured and another one missing. After the quake, most of the captive pandas in the reserve were moved to the Bifengxia breeding base in Ya'an City and some zoos elsewhere.

Only six pandas, each about 18 months old, are living in prefabricated houses in the reserve.

Thanks to hugwildlife of You Tube for providing this article.

Zoo in SW China to Microchip endangered animals

  

In their second report,  zookeepers in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming, Yunnan Province are implanting digital identification chips in animals for better management and protection.

    The stitching-needle-sized chips, provided by the State Forestry Administration, contain each animal's name, age, gender, species, birth date and birthplace, blood type and DNA information, said Li Youlong, head of the Animals Management Department with the Yunnan Wild Animals Park.

    The chips will be injected into the necks, ear roots or tail roots of about 200 animals that are under Class A or B state-level protection in the zoo, such as Siberian tigers, African lions, hoolock gibbons and black swans, Li said.

"You won't see the chips," he said. "It'll help us better manage the animals, especially endangered animals."

    Zookeepers began implanting the chips Monday and are expected to finish by June, Li added.

    The Yunnan park has more than 10,000 animals from more than 110 species.

    The State Forestry Administration has ordered all zoos to implant chips in 17 species, including tigers, lions, elephants, giant pandas, bears, golden monkeys, cranes and swans.

Editor: Zhang Xiang Yong Ba returns home for healing This is a important follow-up story that I never got around to posting.  You remember the story of #1 female panda, Yong Ba, that received all of the international attention several months back?  People were concerned she wasn't receiving the proper care.  We first posted about her on  January 8, 2009 and then showed some new videos of her on January 28, 2009. Now we want everyone to know, that Yong Ba has been moved to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) Ya'an Bifengxia Base for healing. She arrived on April 9, 2009.  Here is the information from the Wolong Panda Cub on her return. "Recently, the State Forestry Administration has organized some doctors and nurseries from different hospitals of Shenzhen to make physical examination for 1#. The result of the examination shows that its internal organ meets the physical index of the old giant panda and its ascites decreases. It is in fine conditions with good spirit and appetite. The scratching of the right hind leg has been controlled with curing. As 1# is advanced in years, it needs a long time to heal the wound. Besides, the summer is approaching in Shenzhen. It is not good for the healing, either. Therefore, the experts group suggests 1# get back to Sichuan for curing. CCRCGP pays high attention to this and makes good preparation for welcoming 1#. After getting back, it will live in CCRCGP Ya'an Bifengxia Base for curing. CCRCGP also works out a sound treatment plan for it and sets up a professional veterinary team with the leading of Mr. Tang Chunxiang, senior veterinary and Director Assistant of CCRCGP.   CCRCGP also arranges the experienced keeper He Fuzhi to take care of it and makes a scientific nutrition supply plan to guarantee its nutrition. What's more, CCRCGP arrange an enclosure next to the Panda Hospital for 1# to live in. The enclosure is quiet and comfortable with an air-conditioner. It also includes a playground with the area of over 200 sq. m.. The enclosure provides a better condition for the curing. Thank the organizations and individuals who care about giant panda 1#. CCRCGP will try its best to take good care of it and heal its wound. We also hope it can get well as soon as possible." National Zoo provides Mei Xiang with peace and quiet

The National Zoo has posted a news alert: 

Visiting the pandas? You can see the Zoo's male pandas outside from early morning until 3 p.m. each day.The Panda House will be closed until further notice. We don't know whether Mei Xiang is pregnant but due to her her early estrus and the Zoo's large spring crowds, Zoo staff made this decision to give her a quiet environment. Thanks for your understanding. 

 

Here is a beautiful photo of Mei Xiang, thanks to RoxandaBearof flickr. You can read a new update about Mei at the National Zoo's website. We wish Mei, the staff at the zoo the best of luck.