Yesterday we shared the news that the giant pandas currently living at the San Diego Zoo would be going to China soon. Very quickly after the announcement, we hosted dozens of news crews and received calls, emails, and social media posts from panda fans around the world who shared our sadness.
Over the years, many news stories have focused on the money sent to China for conservation. For a thriving economy like the one in China, these funds were a symbolic gesture demonstrating San Diego Zoo Global’s strong commitment to conservation in the field. The collaborative scientific effort, by creating an understanding of the species, has been more important, and this effort has transcended international divisions—placing pandas before politics.
However, the key to the continued success of the program is you. All of the millions of panda fans all over the world who have watched the Panda Cam, who have rejoiced with each baby birth, who travel to China to see their beloved bear—you are the turning point in the fight against extinction. When millions of people care about it, the giant panda will not go extinct!
With your support, the San Diego Zoo’s giant panda conservation project built a model for other US-based panda programs. It is a program based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s One Plan Approach to Conservation—blending work under managed care with work in the field. In 1996, it was a new approach to conservation—a new approach created in collaboration with Chinese colleagues and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The giant panda project was based on five key actions:
- As required by the Endangered Species Act, provide resources to support the enhancement of the survival of the giant panda in its native habitat in China.
- Work collaboratively with Chinese scientists to learn about panda natural history, to inform conservation efforts.
- Use our knowledge to improve sustainability of giant panda populations under human care in China.
- Provide scientific support to Chinese conservationists as they protect giant panda habitat and prepare for reintroduction.
- Create a large base of people who care about and support giant panda conservation.
As I watched the news and read through panda fan comments, I was struck once again by the tremendous public interest and support the San Diego Zoo has received over the years for its panda program. More than 25 years ago, when we began the program, experts thought that giant pandas were on the verge of extinction. Today, they are on the road to survival. And this success is due in large part to all of you.
As we move forward, looking toward the next step for panda conservation, we welcome hearing about what pandas mean to you. You can also share your support for this species on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtag #pandas4ever.
Bob Wiese is the Chief Life Sciences Officer for Animal Collections at San Diego Zoo Global.
In 1980s, two Sino-American teams conducted field observations, at Wolong Nature Reserve, and its research station, at Wuyipeng. These undertakings laid scientific foundation, towards species conservation. Such international collaborations are sure to continue, including ‘Returning Pandas to the Wild’ project, among others.
Organized panda study first began, with set up of field research station, at Wolong Nature Reserve/Sichuan Province, in 1978.
During 1980s, Sino-American collaborative efforts followed. Since then, multiple international institutions, including SDZ Global, all have participated in panda conservation. Much has been accomplished, though more remains to be done. While ex-situ panda breeding scheme is ending here, next phase will continue to expand in China.
SDZ Global Institute for Conservation Research, has ongoing collaborative projects, with CCRCGP. Starting in 2017, SDZ became first of several western zoos, to participate in ‘Panda Reintroduction into the Wild’ program. Presumably, SDZ will continue its efforts, in such undertakings.
Albeit, since these activities take place in China, they probably would not receive intense coverage, here in U.S. Nonetheless, one can always check for news updates, at ZOOMOOZ/Saving Species section, a/o other websites, e.g. PDXWildlife, Panda(dot)fr/, Pandas International, and iPanda(dot)com, just to name a few.
Bai Yun left Wolong at age 5. For next 23 years, she has helped scientists, to gain insights on reproductive physiology, maternal care, plus panda geriatrics, just to name a few. It is fitting that, she will retire to her ancestral homeland; enjoying twilight years, in company of her peers, including Gao Gao.
As for Xiao Liwu, he could get acquainted with, five elder siblings, and other relatives; through sight, smell, and perhaps, bleating. Not to mention, plentiful mating choices await him at Sichuan, during every breeding season. It will be a new exciting adventure, for Wu. Best wishes for both!
Every loan agreement specifies that, panda offspring shall be repatriated, upon coming of age. Subsequent breeding, if any, will only take place in China. Wu’s 5 siblings, and indeed, other sub-adults from overseas zoos elsewhere; all have returned to their ancestral homeland, under this stipulation. In case of Wu, his San Diego stay has already been extended twice, beyond initial departure originally planned for 2016.
Lease on both Bai Yun and Gao Gao, expired last September. While Gao left in October, Bai got several more months of reprieve, to stay stateside.
Like all former returnees, preparation for their departure will entail:
Diet supplement switch, from leafeater biscuits, to Chinese buns (Bai Yun has tasted these before, while at Wolong, but Wu has not).
Getting accustomed to forklifts.
Crate training.
We have been so fortunate to have these incredible bears in our “backyard” all these years! Proud of San Diego Zoo for stepping up to help the species retreat from extinction. I’ll sure miss those comical black & white bears, but also excited for their next adventure…
True, while this will be passing of one era, it is also beginning of another, for SDZ Global involvement in species conservation.
Managed care population, is approaching self-sustaining, target goal of 600 (#542, as of last November, while 2019 spring breeding season has arrived).
Truly, next phase in species conservation, would entail collaborative global efforts,
In preserving & expanding natural habitats, in setting of climate change.
Expanding focus on, returning pandas to the wild.
Such endeavor is built upon, knowledge gained plus achievements attained, to-date.
I concur completely.