The other day I watched the below National Geographic documentary about pandas, which focuses specifically on how captive bred pandas aren't naturally equipped to live in the wild, and what measures are being put into place to allow captive bred pandas to succeed in the wild.
It was really interesting and demonstrates the massive amount of hard work that is put in to the conservation of pandas, which is why some people say that panda conservation is a waste of resources. It should be noted however, that the below process is all down to independent research and breeding centres with the help of the Chinese government. They have little involvement with WWF, so they're not using up loads of their funds.
Key Points
Before human expansion pandas weren't endangered, it's been the loss and isolation of habitat that's put them in the position they're in today.
The Chinese government and people are fully behind saving the pandas.
The earthquake in 2008 that destroyed panda habitat kickstarted the need for research and breeding centres.
Before captive pandas can be re-introduced into the wild, a large breeding group in captivity must be established.
In order for pandas to successfully breed in captivity, you have to understand how they breed in the wild and try to re-create these conditions.
Young pandas are kept together in captivity, which encourages interaction between them.
In 2006 a panda was returned to the wild after 3 years of preparation. After a year he was found dead after being attacked by a predator or another panda.
In 2009 a base was set up in a national reserve that was affected by the 2008 earthquake. This base is where captive pandas are prepared to for release into the wild.
This preparation means that humans can't have contact with pandas. From when pandas are born here they stay outdoors in a protected enclosure with their mothers for two years.
Because of the quick rate pandas eat bamboo, humans have to replace it. To do this they dress up in panda costumes and smear themselves with panda poo and wee which masks both the sight and smell of the humans.
After this the panda is put into a larger protected area with its mother. This area is higher up in the mountains, more realistic of the conditions it would live in in the wild. They are left completely alone here for 5 months.
Because of the earthquake, farmers in the area are more willing to be relocated, which allows more land to be replanted for panda habitat.
Before the panda is released into the wild, a stuffed predator is placed in the habitat, along with it's scent and a recording of the noise it makes. This makes sure the panda knows how to react to a predator in the wild, an instinct it may have lost through captive breeding.
The release of the panda is a political act. The people who worked to develop the process aren't present for the release, the act of releasing the panda falls to politicians.
The Success of the Program
Tao Tao (male) was the first panda to be released after following this program, and was released in October 2012. In November 2013 Zhang Xiang (female) was released following a similar program. Both pandas are doing well in the wild.
In October 2014 another female was released (Xue Xue) but died from illness a month into her life in the wild. She was the fist panda to be released who's parents were both born in captivity, and the fact that she was able to pass the same tests as Tao Tao and Zhang Xiang to be able to be released is proof that the re-introduction system works. Her illness was thought to be caused by a bite from a rat.
Conclusion
It is increasingly becoming the case that breeding pandas is becoming less of a problem. What is a problem is that when it comes to releasing them, there isn't much protected space to release them in to, which undermines the process of reintroduction.
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