shirleyysy-blog

[shirleyysy-blog]

Red panda conservation network

[shirleyysy-blog]

The panda is the most iconic endangered species, so it seemed sensible for us to ask the very tough question of whether species were sheltering under its umbrella, the fact is that many are.

 Stuart Pimm, Duke University

[shirleyysy-blog]

Debate on Breeding Panda in Captivity with pros and cons, good to think.

"So by having pandas in zoos it really engages people—it really is about getting people to care, and that's important."

Some may argue that the money could be better spent on other things, such as preserving threatened habitat. Is it true?

[shirleyysy-blog]

2009年7月23日，臥龍中國保護大熊猫研究中心雌性大熊猫“優優”誕下一仔，是2009年全球首例使用冷凍精子進行人工授精順利降生的大熊猫幼仔，是大熊猫保育研究技術上的一項重大突破。

臥龍中國保護大熊猫研究中心通过多年試驗，成功掌握了大熊猫精液冷凍和解凍技術，把解凍後精液的活力提高到80%。該項技術為圈養大熊猫優生優育提供了技術保障，對保持圈養大熊猫族羣的遺傳多樣性、提高族羣活力具有重要意義。

© Pandbaike

© Pandas International

[shirleyysy-blog]

Panda Cosplay and Conservation

Chinese conservationists at the Hetaoping Research and Conservation Center in Western China have taken to wearing fluffy Panda suits whenever they are tending to baby Pandas at the center. The researchers believe that it may be because the wild Pandas sensed something different about the human-reared pandas.

The reason behind this is to ensure that the babies are surrounded by their own species and not humans. Scientists are hoping that by doing this, the animals will be able to adjust better, when they are eventually released and have to fend for themselves in the wild.

Previous experience with Pandas reared by humans has not been good. In 2006 a five-year old male Xiang Xiang seemed to doing well when first released - However, a few months later he got into a fight, and was killed by a group of wild Pandas.

The researchers believe that it may be because the wild Pandas sensed something different about the human-reared Xiang Xiang. Whether dressing up as a Giant Panda will be effective is not proven, but the desperate scientists are willing to give it a try.

© Pandafacts

Pandafacts 大熊貓百科 

Giant pandas‘ predators  熊貓既天敵

Keep reading

[shirleyysy-blog]

短片

一個簡單既短片介紹我既blog

希望大家都鍾意我個tumblr blog 今後繼續關注動物及環境保育工作！多謝你地一直以來既支持！

A short video introducing my blog. Hope everyone love my blog and be aware of animals’ and environmental conservation. Thanks for your support !

Bgm: Bamboo Scramble Instrumental

[shirleyysy-blog]

History of Panda conservation

Brief timeline (or read our more detailed history here) In 1936, American fashion designer Ruth Harkness captures and takes the baby panda Su-Lin to the United States, making the cub an instant 'celebrity' and evoking universal sympathy for the plight of the species and creating the 'panda cult'. In the early 1960s, the first four panda reserves are established in China and a decree is issued prohibiting the hunting of a host of animals, including the giant panda. In 1979, WWF signs a unique agreement with China to cooperate on conservation, including helping to save the giant panda. WWF was the first international conservation organization to work in China at the Chinese government's invitation. In 1989, WWF-funded research and satellite imagery show that suitable habitat for pandas in Sichuan Province has shrunk by 50 percent since 1974. In 1992, a management plan for the panda is launched following a decade of cooperation between WWF and the Chinese Ministry of Forestry. Upon completion of the plan, 60 percent of all panda habitat will be included within protected areas. In 1998, WWF files a lawsuit related to the process of loaning pandas to US zoos, which results in a policy requiring zoos importing pandas to ensure that more than half of the funds associated with each loan are channelled into the conservation of wild pandas and their habitat.

© WWF

[shirleyysy-blog]

Pandafacts 大熊貓百科 

Giant pandas‘ predators  熊貓既天敵

A fully grown panda is far too formidable a foe for most predators, but some animals can prey on cubs.

Potential predators include jackals, snow leopards and yellow-throated martens, all of which are capable of killing and eating panda cubs.

Indeed, the 2008 animated blockbuster  Kung Fu Panda tells the story of Po, a panda who is an apprentice noodle-maker and kung-fu fanatic, and whose greatest enemy is Tai Lung: a fierce kung-fu fighting snow leopard.

In real life, snow leopards, which are also endangered, share some of the same habitats as the black and white bears and pose a threat to young pandas.

© naturepl.com / Eric Baccega / WWF

Can pandas fight back?

Giant pandas are solitary and peaceful animals, which will usually avoid confrontation, but if escape is impossible, they will certainly fight back.

And as cuddly as they may look, pandas can protect themselves as well as most other bears by using their physical strength, and powerful jaws and teeth.

Pandas can grow up to 1.5m long and weigh as much as 150kg.

And while their large molar teeth and strong jaw muscles are designed for crushing bamboo, they can deliver a very nasty bite.

In addition, giant panda are excellent climbers, with cubs able to clamber up trees when they are just 6 months old.

They can also swim and, unlike most other bears, do not hibernate for months at time during winter.

With all these attributes in their arsenal, fully grown giant pandas can defend themselves against most predators.

© WWF

[shirleyysy-blog]

保育熊貓同我地有咩關係？　　

[shirleyysy-blog]

What can we do to help panda?

Travel smart

Panda tourism is on the rise. The Chinese government and WWF are now working on ways to reduce the impact of tourism on panda habitats, by promoting eco-tourism.

For more information on the best way to limit your impact, read our travel smart tips.

© WWF

[shirleyysy-blog]

Ecotourism is responsible tourism. Its primary purpose is to protect the original natural and cultural uniqueness of a place. Based on local needs, it emphasizes responsible business behavior, whereby business activities benefit the local people and help to protect the natural environment

[shirleyysy-blog]

Photo sources: redpandanet

ENDANGERED STATUS

Listed as endangered on IUCN red list in 2015

Red Panda is listed as Endangered because its population has plausibly declined by 50% over the last three generations (estimated at 18 years) and this decline is projected to continue, and probably intensify, in the next three generations.

Hunting for trade seems to be increasing, Red Pandas are starting to enter the pet trade, perhaps partly in response to the increasing number of ‘cute’ images on social media. Deforestation and road building are easing access to Red Panda habitat. There are reports of poachers capturing Red Pandas in Nepal and Myanmar to satisfy the Chinese demand for the species (as wild meat, for medicine and for skins).

In cases like red panda and giant panda, their extinction are mainly caused by human activity.

Public awareness of red pandas' preservation should be improved.

© iucnredlist

[shirleyysy-blog]

Giant Panda Protection

保護大熊貓棲息地

Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centers

Giant pandas at Chengdu Panda Breeding CenterGiant Pandas at Chengdu Panda Breeding Center Breeding and research centers have been established to help the reproduction of this species. Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center and Bifengxia Giant Panda Center are the two major ones. They are also the best places to see giant pandas in China. Continue to read more on the best places to see giant pandas in China.

A wild giant panda in Foping Nature Reserve in Qinling Mountains

Over 50 Nature Reserves

There are over 50 nature reserves, covering over 10,000 km2 (4,000 mi2), to protect this endangered species. Wolong (130 km, 80 mi, from Chengdu) and Foping are the two major giant panda protection reserves.

Connecting Isolated Habitats with Bamboo Forest

Bamboo forest has been planted in the zones between some isolated patches of giant panda habitat to link them together. Now giant pandas have a chance to migrate if food is scarce in their area.  

Reforestation to extend existing habitats also helps create a more spacious and less stressful environment for the pandas.

(經由 Giant Panda Habitat, Panda Habitat Protection, Where do Giant Pandas Live in China)

[shirleyysy-blog]

Giant Pandas' Habitat 

大熊貓的棲地隨人們砍伐森林、墾荒耕種等活動，受到嚴重蠶食，逐漸減縮

Giant Panda Habitat Has Shrunk to Isolated Patches The giant panda’s habitat once spread across central, southern, and eastern China, and China’s neighboring countries of Myanmar and northern Vietnam. But it has been dramatically reduced by the growth in China’s logging and farming practices. Now the species is restricted to only about 20 isolated patches in western China’s Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi Provinces.

The Major Areas of Giant Panda Habitat Wild giant Pandas are mainly distributed in the Min Mountains in Sichuan and Gansu provinces, and the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province.

(經由 Giant Panda Habitat, Panda Habitat Protection, Where do Giant Pandas Live in China)

[shirleyysy-blog]

Top 5 Ocean Park in Hong Kong- Highly accessible for HKers

Location: Hong Kong City Pandas: 4 Ocean Park is a large ocean theme park and one of several large amusement parks in Hong Kong. You can see hundreds of kinds of marine fishes. There are four giant pandas in Ocean Park: An An, Jia Jia (the world's oldest living panda, who will be 36 on August 10th 2014), Le Le and Ying Ying. Le Le and Ying Ying are presents from China's central government to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

Other spots

(經由 Hong Kong Ocean Park, Hong Kong Amusement Park, Hong Kong Marine Park)

[shirleyysy-blog]

Top 4 Beijing Zoo — Easiest Access, But Most Crowded

Location: Beijing City Pandas: You can tell from the pic.3 Activities: Seeing pandas only Time needed: 2 hours Best for: travelers who can't make it to Chengdu

Beijing Zoo is the largest zoo in China with the largest number of animal species and is one of the best zoos in the world. It was the first zoo to open in China. There is a panda house in the zoo, which is one of the most popular enclosures there.

For those who can make their trip to Chengdu, Beijing Zoo is a good alternative for seeing pandas. Be warned that the panda house in Beijing Zoo is always fully-packed. Our guide knows how to escape the crowds.

Other spots

(經由 Beijing Zoo with the Most Types of Animals in China)

[shirleyysy-blog]

Top 3 Dujiangyan Panda Base — best panda volunteer program

Location: Dujiangyan Prefecture, 67 km (41 mi) or 1½ hours from Chengdu Pandas: about 20 Activities: panda viewing, holding pandas, and panda keeper program Suitable for: those who want a less-crowded panda volunteer program Time needed: 1 day

China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda Dujiangyan Panda Base is a new panda center, established in 2014. However, it is quieter and sees less travelers than Bifengxia Panda Center, so volunteers have more time and chances to get close to the pandas.

One-Day Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program Tour

Other spots

(經由 Dujiangyan Base, A New Panda Breeding Base in China)