The San Diego Zoo’s giant panda conservation program was awarded a first-of-its-kind certificate of appreciation from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), for “significant contribution to giant panda conservation.” The San Diego Zoo is the first U.S. based conservation organization to receive this honor.
“We value our friendship with Chinese conservationists and are proud of everything we have been able to accomplish together,” said Douglas G. Myers, president/CEO, San Diego Zoo Global. “We understand what a tremendous honor it is for the San Diego Zoo to be chosen for this award, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration into the future.”
Decades ago, when the San Diego Zoo-based collaborative panda program began, the species was on the verge of extinction. The Zoo became part of an international collaboration that included the CCRCGP, the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other accredited zoos and conservation organizations, in an unprecedented international effort to prevent a panda extinction event. The Zoo’s work at the forefront of the fight to save the giant panda, including breeding a significant number of giant panda cubs, supporting Chinese in situ conservation efforts, sharing vital technology, and training Chinese conservationists in important management and veterinary techniques were cited as reasons for the award.
“Receiving recognition for our giant panda work from the organization and the people who know and care for giant pandas more than anyone in the world has tremendous significance,” said Carmi Penny, director of Collections Husbandry Science at the San Diego Zoo. “We know that Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu are home, and we are deeply gratified to know that the San Diego Zoo made a difference.”
The San Diego Zoo is globally recognized and a San Diego icon, hosting more than 4 million guests each year. At the San Diego Zoo, visitors can watch penguins and sharks swim, observe the behavior of century-old Galápagos tortoises, enjoy the beauty of exotic orchids, marvel at koalas, explore walk-through aviaries filled with the songs and colors of rare birds, and appreciate the power of leopards and jaguars. The San Diego Zoo is also accredited by the American Association of Museums as a Botanical Garden. As visitors discover the rare and endangered species at the San Diego Zoo, they are directly contributing, through admission and on-grounds sales, to the efforts of San Diego Zoo Global, an international nonprofit conservation organization that works to fight extinction through recovery efforts for plants and animals worldwide. To learn more, visit sandiegozoo.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
International experts from WHO, are now in China, to assist efforts, in combating coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic. They will also visit Sichuan Province, where 400+ confirmed cases exist. Probably, there won’t be any giant panda encounters for them (Unless, perhaps, instances of human – panda COVID-19 transmission appear).
Depending on duration of current coronavirus epidemic, it might affect any upcoming repatriation to China, for overseas-born sub-adult pandas.
Wonder whether current new coronavirus 2019-nCoV epidemic, would affect upcoming spring breeding scheme, for pandas under managed care at China?
Further, travel bans plus potential risk for quarantine, could impact onsite participation, by SDZ Institute for Conservation Research and others, in the nascent ‘Panda Release into the Wild’ project.
Agree, with present travel restrictions plus potential for quarantines, best for in-person panda encounters now, are within North America. Or,
View them on various panda-cams, and footage at YouTube videos.
This is not the time, for visiting giant pandas, in China. Better to view them here, stateside.
Hope giant pandas, and Chinese keepers stay safe, during current coronavirus epidemic. As of now, all of China have reported cases, affecting humans.
Recall Hua Mei’s repatriation was temporarily postponed; to avoid potential health risk, for accompanying SDZ chaperones, in midst of 2002 – 2003 SARS outbreak.
For anyone planning to visit pandas in China, please be advised:
Because of current coronavirus 2019-nCoV epidemic there, both CCRCGP (with its 3 campuses), and Chengdu Research Base are closed to the public, until further notice.
State Dept. and CDC, also have issued travel advisory, for visitors to China.
Thanks, Simona, for your information. For pet owners, vets routinely offer rabies and CDV vaccinations, for their pets.
Hi, Selma:
Canine corona virus can infect giant pandas, causing two deaths in 1997. It presents with cold-like symptoms, and in severe cases, seizures. Currently, there is no vaccine against corona virus, for giant pandas or humans.
Per SDZ veterinarian, other viral illnesses affecting pandas include:
1) Influenza A.
2) Rabies.
3) Canine distemper virus (CDV). At least in U.S. zoos, all pandas receive a 3-dose vaccine series, followed by annual booster.
For international transport, a vaccination certificate must document immunization against CDV and rabies. Gao Gao, Bai Yun, plus Xiao Liwu, would have received both, prior to their departure for China.
If interested, do Google search, for more details.
Wonder whether the new corona virus (2019-nCoV), arising in central China, could infect giant pandas, as well as humans.
CCRCGP presented twenty 2019-born panda cubs, ahead of Lunar New Year. Presumably, they include male twins born to Su Lin, plus male singleton born to Zhen Zhen, among others.
2020 spring mating season
Should Mr. Wu not be a participant, perhaps brother Yun Zi, now age 10, could be recalled from Shijiazhuang/Hebei, for such purpose.
Both Su Lin and Zhen Zhen, are still nursing/rearing their 2019-born cubs. Hua Mei, will be age 20 & 1/2, next spring. She might be too old to mate (“panda-pause”).
As for Mei Sheng, he has yet to learn, how to mate, let alone siring any cub.
Latest news on Xiao Liwu
As per Heather’s 11/8/19 post, Wu is now at Jiawuhai Conservation & Research Park, Jiuzhaigou County, northern Sichuan.
11/6/2019 YouTube video, posted by CGTN (narrated in English): First 25 minutes are devoted to Xiao Liwu. His spacious outdoor enclosure has climbing structures, and a raised platform, plentiful acreage to roam about. He is being fed young bamboo shoots, plus Chinese buns (rich in corn & sorghum). Interaction with Sichuan keepers pose no problem, as hand/body signals are universally deployed, besides verbal commands in Mandarin (spoken in Sichuan dialect).
He and 3 other pandas were sent there, on 10/31/19. It also appears that, Wu will not participate in 2020 breeding sccheme, as Jiawuhai is a newly opened, non-breeding facility.
Jiuzhaigou County has a very scenic natural reserve, visited in 2006, by a SDZ-sponsored tour group. Previously, no wild giant pandas were sighted for years. However, in 2018, panda paw prints and feces were discovered, by park rangers there.
Note: Both Gao Gao and Bai Yun, remain at Dujiangyan campus of CCRCGP, retirement section.
Three pandas, formerly resided in U. S., including Bai Yun, received 2019 awards in different categories, based upon fan voting from across the world.
2019 Gold Award, from Giant Panda Global, on ‘Most Favorite Repatriated Panda’: applause please,
Bai Yun (“white cloud”), age 28, former resident of San Diego Zoo.
Belated news from afar
In 7/2018, Hua Mei (b. 1999, SDZ, sired by Shi Shi) delivered male/female twins (litter mates), at Gengda Base of CCRCGP.
She was repatriated to Sichuan, in February, 2004. To-date, her obstetrical history is as follows,
2004: Male twins (One has since sired Bai Yun’s first great-granddaughter).
2005: Male/female twins. So far, that female has given Bai Yun, two great-grandchildren.
2007: Male twins.
2009: Female singleton. She has also delivered, three great-grandchildren for Bai Yun (one male cub, plus female/male twins, all at Belgium).
2010: Male cub, deceased at age 20 months. Necropsy was performed, but result unknown.
2012: Female singleton.
2013: Male cub, briefly selected as trainee for ‘Return to the Wild’ project, but failed to matriculate. Has since back under managed care.
2018: Male/female twins.
Hence, Hua Mei currently has, 11 surviving offspring (three singletons, plus four sets of twins). Through Hua Mei’s lineage, Bai Yun now has 6 great-grandchildren (3 males & 3 females).
Hua Mei is an example of giant pandas, giving births to twins, about 50% of the time.
Nice to see lively discussions, plus postings continue in this blog, notwithstanding May panda departure from SDZ.
G;ad to learn, SDZ-born giant pandas continue to breed, in China. This allows wild-born traits of Gao Gao plus Shi Shi, to add genetic diversity to managed care population, at large. Perhaps, eventually their future descendants, could be returned to the wilderness, thereby enriching isolated wild panda population at risk, as well.
As of 2019, surviving offspring of both Su Lin and Zhen Zhen, are still too young to breed.
However, three offspring of Hua Mei (SDZ-born, 1999), have sired/delivered 6 great-grandchildren, for Bai Yun. One of them, is now of breeding age. Perhaps, there could be great-great grandchild(ren), for Bai Yun, next year.
News from Afar: Zhen Zhen (SDZ-born, 2007), has delivered a male cub for 2019, at Gengda Base of CCRCGP.
Her reproductive history, to-date,
2013: stillborn.
2014: male cub, expired sometime post birth.
2015: female twins (litter mates).
2017: female twins.
2019: male singleton.
Hi, Rosetta: Thanks for your information.
To Leah,
For 2019, 60 panda cubs were born, with 57 surviving so far.
At International Giant Panda Conference, being currently held at Chengdu/Sichuan; China announced total # of pandas, under managed care, has reached 600 (China and overseas combined).
This is the target population, set by conservation geneticists, for next 200 years, accounting for climate change plus habitat loss.
Looks like Xiao Liwu has a new home at Jiawuhai Giant Panda Conservation and Research Park. And it has trees for him to climb!
Video on youtube.
For folks interested in species conservation,
10/27/2019 Sunday, CBS ’60 Minutes’Program: ‘Saving Giant Panda from Extinction’. Complete with videos, photos, and written transcript.
Filmed at Sichuan/China, it covered cub swapping, nursery care, panda training, release into the wild (a nascent pilot project), plus international collaboration on panda conservation, among others.
Under managed care, recent breeding emphasis has shifted, from quantity, towards quality (genetic diversity). It will be of interest, to see final tally on panda cub births, for 2019; as well as identity of their mothers, and perhaps, their fathers.
Su Lin (b. 2005, at SDZ), departed for China, at age 5, in 2010. She left San Diego, together with sister Zhen Zhen (then age 3).
There are far more breeding choices available in China, either for natural mating, or through artificial insemination. From conservation perspective, genetic diversity would thus be greatly enhanced.
Per research loan agreement, all overseas-born pandas are to be repatriated, around age 3 to 4 years, as sub-adults. Two institutions even return theirs, at age 2.
So far, Xiao Liwu is one of two exceptions. His SDZ stay was twice extended, in 2016 and 2018 respectively. Ultimately, he departed for China, at age 6+ years.
Last spring, Bai Yun and Mr. Wu were repatriated to China. By the end of this year, number of U.S.-based giant pandas, might be reduced to six adults.
Nonetheless, conservation efforts undertaken by American scientists (including San Diego Zoo staff), will continue in highlands of Sichuan. Look forward to read such updates.
Fun Fact: Scientific name of Giant Panda – ‘Ailuropoda melanoleuca’.
Ailuropoda (Latin) refers to, sole existing plus several extinct species of giant pandas.
Melanoleuca (also Latin) means ‘black and white’.
Several ‘brown & white’ giant pandas, documented via photo footage, have been sighted over the years, at Qinling Mt. Range/Shaanxi Province, China (including two taken into managed care). Some consider them, to be a separate sub-species. Others, including SDZ research scientist, regard these as mere color variation.
2019 marks 150 anniversary, in scientific naming of giant panda.
In 1869, Jean-Pierre Armand David, a French specimen collector, went to Baoxing County, Sichuan/China. There, he was given, several specimens of peculiar ‘black & white’ creatures. He recognized them as a new bear species. However, his proposal was then rejected, by his Paris superior, who claimed them as raccoons instead.
Nonetheless, Armand David had the last laugh. In 1985, modern molecular DNA analysis convincingly proved that, giant pandas are indeed bears.
No panda cub birth for North America, this year.
Giant pandas deliver twins, about 50% of the time.
More on Twinning
Su Lin (b. 2005, SDZ), delivered twins (? male), on 8/31/2019, at CCRCGP, Sichuan.
Presumably, staff there do cub swapping. Breast pump will be deployed, to extract milk from Su Lin, for nursery feeding.
Breast milk is preferred, over artificial formula, as it contains maternal antibodies, essential for fighting off potential neonatal infections. Obviously, should panda mom be unable, to produce sufficient breast milk, then formula would be an alternative, for nursery feeding.
OB History of Su Lin:-
2011: a stillborn, plus male twin (deceased at age 3 & 1/2 years, necropsy result?).
2014: male twins,one died sometime post birth, the other survives.
2018: female singleton.
2019: (male?) twins.
Per SDZ scientist: After a female panda enters estrus, she will exhibit typical behavioral & hormonal changes, even in ABSENCE of mating or artificial insemination.
While strides have been achieved in panda reproduction, much is still not fully understood. In this regard, collaborative research efforts will be valuable.
There is also, issue of ‘Pseudo-pregnancy’; when a female panda will exhibit, behavior- and hormone-wise, as though she is pregnant; except, ultimately there is no cub birth. That was what happened to Bai Yun, in 2011.
Early on, during several of Bai Yun’s pregnancies, twin fetuses were observed, on imaging studies (including triplets, in 2003). Then, SDZ staff discussed excitedly, about ‘how to do cub swapping post birth’.
Alas, they were not to be. Due to phenomenon of ‘in-utero fetal resorption’, ultimately Bai Yun delivered only singletons.
Indeed, giant panda pregnancies are complicated!
Several YouTube videos show, how ‘cub swapping’ are being carried out. Such acts would trigger, protective motherly instincts, giant pandas are no exception. Hence, these swapping tasks are assigned to, experienced keepers who are already familiar to panda moms.
Bai Yun herself is a twin. At birth, their mother focused solely on her, while totally rejected her sister. Forced to hand-rear in nursery, the other twin succumbed at age 6 moths, from infection (lack of protective maternal antibody, normally provided via nursing).
Since then, China has invented technique of ‘cub swapping’. Multiple twin offspring of Hua Mei and Zhen Zhen, survive and thrive. Several have even become parents themselves. Kudos to panda conservation!
Bai Yun the geriatric panda, is now age 28.
Excellent News: A pair of twins (male and female litter mates) were born yesterday, to one of Bai Yun’s granddaughters.
To-date: Bai Yun now has 6 great-grandchildren, 3 males plus 3 females, all descended through Hua Mei’s lineage.
It is nice to hear, SDZ effort on panda conservation, continues in China.
Every November, a scientific matchmaking body, presents its mating choices, for each eligible panda, ranked on basis of genetic diversity.
Perhaps, next spring, one might see Xiao Liwu’s participation in mating, assuming he will reach sexual maturity (He will be about, age 7 & 1/2 then).
Or, Yun Zi could be recalled from Hebei, for such purpose.
Starting in September, staff from SDZ Global Institute for Conservation Research, will resume participation in ‘Panda Release into the Wild’ project, at Wolong Nature Reserve/Sichuan. Study focus is to be on, behavioral/personality traits of panda trainees, as predictors for survival adaptation in the wilderness.
Collaborative research with CCRCGP, will also be undertaken, for 2020 breeding season, under managed care. Stay tuned.
Thank you, Amanda, for the information about Liwu’s birthday celebration in China. I did watch it & was so happy to see Liwu and his mom & dad close by! The watermelon cake was very clever and well-done. Just the right shades of green. Of course, Liwu knocked it over right away! He is a very smart & good bear! Love, him.
He enjoyed all the treats hidden in his box & bag. Just so happy to see him again.
Little Liwu, I am thinking of you today as tomorrow is your birthday. I love you.
How are you doing in China?
I hope you are enjoying exploring new places and having new adventures.
Will they celebrate your birthday tomorrow in China?
Happy 7th Birthday Xiao Liwu. His birthday is on Monday, July 29th and iPanda will go live on Facebook to celebrate his first birthday in China. The Live Preview will start at 10:00 a.m. local time. That’s Sunday night for those of us in the United States.
Post-quarantine Photos of Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu, at Dujiangyan.
July /2019 e-newsletter of Pandas International: 5 photos.
7/3/2019 iPanda website: 9 photos.
The duo completed their quarantine, on 6/27. Per Chinese keepers, both are healthy, and enjoy Sichuan bamboo.
So happy to see Gao Gao’s black tub traveled to China with him!
Thank’s Amanda for the new !
I seen Bai Yun, Xiao Liwu and… Gao Gao ! They look comfortable and busy. Their plaisant enclosures seem are in the same area and plaisant 🙂
Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu are out of quarantine and their public debut will be shown live on June 30 by iPanda on Facebook. Debut is at 10:00 Beijing time.
Panda friends in China have said pandas (and humans) are O.K. after Monday’s earthquake. That includes Chengdu, Bifengxia, Gengda and Dujiangyan
Epicenter of that 6/17/2019 earthquake, is located SE of Chengdu. There are reported human casualties. Panda breeding centers, being further west, hopefully would not be affected (other than experiencing tremors).
In contrast, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, magnitude 7.9, severely damaged old Wolong Panda Center, at Hetaoping. Hua Mei (repatriated in 2004), and Mei Sheng (repatriated in 2007); were transferred to Bifengxia, then a small satellite base. Quite a few panda refugees, had to be relocated to other zoos, as well.
Situated at eastern edge of Tibetan Plateau, Sichuan region is subject to, collision between 2 tectonic plates; creating strains along fault lines, resulting in earthquakes.
Late yesterday, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Sichuan, east of provincial capital Chengdu. Aftershocks continue. Damage and casualty are being assessed. No word yet, on whether breeding centers there, together with their pandas, are affected.
By now, Xiao Liwu and Bai Yun, should have completed, their routine 30-day quarantine.
4/24/2017 YouTube video: ‘China: Welcome to Panda Retirement Home (at Dujiangyan)’, posted by France24English, duration: 1 &1/2 minutes.
Narrated in English, it describes husbandry, as applied to geriatric pandas. To lessen further wear on their teeth, bamboo stalks are trimmed. Supplements, e.g. Chinese buns (rich in corn & sorghum), carrots, plus fruits (apples & pears); are cut into smaller slices, before serving. Such practice would ease chewing, by elderly bears, like Gao Gao, with his much-restored dentition.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank’s for these precious informations, dear Monitor and J. !
Bai and Wu are now half-way through, their 30-day quarantine. Presumably, around mid-June, there would be new photos/videos, plus articles, about them at Dujiangyan. Check iPanda, and YouTube sites.
With an award bestowed by CCRCGP. a long time collaborator with SDZ; hopefully, it signifies that, joint project efforts will continue, moving forward. Species conservation, giant pandas included, is a goal shared by, all modern zoos.
Congratulations San Diego Zoo for that good job!
(… Dear monitor, perhaps one day the time will come for a great article on the first steps of Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu repatriated to their ancestral homeland ? 🙂 )
Blog Monitor’s note: There are no plan for such an article at this time, but there have been instances when our researchers are in China and have written blogs about having seen SDZ-born pandas and how they’re doing. So there is always a chance!
Congratulations San Diego Zoo on the award
Great work San Diego Zoo! Congratulations! Fingers/paws crossed for future pandas as a result of all that you do to save species!
Congratulations San Diego Zoo!!! This is awesome!