Endangered Species 2
WWF's policy on captive breeding is that: "The productive management of captive pandas would be helpful in ensuring the long-term survival of the species. All potential breeding animals in captivity should be included in an integrated programme, whose main aim should be to provide animals for re-introduction into the wild. WWF urges all institutions in the world which currently hold pandas to contribute fully to this breeding programme."
There are currently 23 pandas at the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Wolong and an estimated total of 103 animals in captivity worldwide. Along with fieldwork, Chinese scientists have worked continuously to improve the ...
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zoos involved in panda breeding, as well as to an exchange of information and technology between Chinese and western scientists.
Some problems are, however, still experienced with animal husbandry, particularly the care and welfare of infants. Disease and rejection by the mother have been the main cause of death among cubs. Investigation of these, and other aspects of panda reproduction, now form an active part of the ongoing research programme.
THREATS
The main threats to the Giant Panda are habitat destruction and poaching. Young animals are caught for zoos, and adults are killed for their pelts which are used to make coats and sleeping mats. These mats are claimed to allow the sleeper to predict the future, and to keep away ghosts.6 Although capital punishment has been introduced for poachers, illegal hunting continues. A single Giant Panda pelt can sell for US $100,000 on the black market.3 Panda meat is unpalatable and hence little subsistence hunting occurs. Many ...
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dynamics, with enforced emigration promoting out-breeding and maintenance of a healthy population. The small, isolated populations of Giant Panda which remain may be threatened by in-breeding, which is liable to reduce reproduction rate, fertility and survival of young.7
1. Servheen, C. 1990. The Status and Conservation of the Bears of the World. Int. Conf. Bear Res. and Manage. Monogr. Series No. 2. 32.
2. Anon. 1990. Panda Research. International Bear News, Vol. 90 (3), No. 1.
3. Mills, J. 1992. Milking the bear trade. International Wildlife, 22 (3): 38-45.
4. Jien, G. 1991. Ailuropoda melanoleuca. IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group Newsletter, No. 2., February 1991.
5. ...
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"Endangered Species 2." Essayworld.com. February 3, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Endangered-Species-2/78471.
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