SAN DIEGO & SICHUEN, CHINA - The Giant Pandas are one of the most popular attractions at the San Diego Zoo, but did you know the only reason why we have them is because the zoo is in a partnership with China for conservation research. Currently, two pandas are in China helping with that research, we traveled to Sichuan Province, China to make the connection.
Our story begins at the San Diego Zoo, where two pandas were the very first to be born in the United States, Hua Mei and Mei Sheng. The panda pair will always hold a special place in Panda Keeper Kathy Hawk’s heart, “She was a little terror, she had no fear, she seemed to be born in front of the camera,” remembers Kathy. “He didn't like us at all; in fact he would growl and chomp”.
Kathy spent four long years raising brother and sister and then just like any other parent child relationship, the time came to let go. “I was in the van with her, just keeping her quiet, waiting for the plane to load her and say goodbye to her,” recalls Kathy. Hua Mei and Mei Sheng had grown up and as part of a research partnership with China, when the cubs reach 4 years old, they are to return home to their native country.
Kathy remembers the day she sent off the her “cubs” just like it was yesterday, “I remember my co-worker Angie and myself as the truck was going off, we were both trying very hard to hide the tears,” said Kathy “We were definitely trying to look away from the camera, but I knew in my heart she would be fine.”
Now the siblings call Bi Feng Xia Panda Reserve in Sichuan, China their home. Animal Reproduction Expert Huang Yan works closely with the Hua Mei and Mei Sheng, “These two pandas are very good pandas Hua Mei has had many babies and Mei Sheng, we started training him and he can already mate.”
The day we were at the panda reserve, we got a glimpse of Hua Mei taking a break from motherhood. There in her bedroom, she sat chomping on her carrot and bamboo stalks, so content she barely noticed we were there. Hua Mei has been busy giving birth to a total of seven pandas; 3 sets of twins and one single cub. “July 7th was when the young cub was born”, said Huang Yan. “He is now 3 months.”
Dr. Tang Chun Xiang spoke about Hua Mei’s motherhood qualities, “Hua Mei has very good genes and she's a very good mother, she’s healthy and good tempered.”
Together Hua Mei and Mei Sheng have provided scientists with important information about Giant Panda genes, their heredity and also understanding of panda breeding patterns. “There have been 111 pregnancies with 160 something cubs born, 140 of those survived, “said Dr. Tang. “It’s an overall success rate of 90% for pandas born in captivity”.
These success stories could eventually help to shape the future of this endangered species, Giant Pandas are only native to central-western and south western China. “Giant panda research and understanding of their heredity and their genes will be able to help us in the future with Giant Pandas in the wild and the reproductive process,” said Huang Yan “It may not mean this generation today, but perhaps future generations will be sent into the wild to help boost population.”
Dr. Tang’s vision goes further, “Perhaps we will even be able to introduce Pandas to regions where there are no pandas and let them populate there.”
“I think that's the goal down the road,” agreed Kathy. “I think now that we have perfected breeding, we've perfected formulas, we've perfected behaviors.” With that goal in mind Kathy prepares herself for the inevitable, once again the time has come for her to say goodbye, Su-Linn is now four. “It’s a very sad moment, but then when you look at the big picture, they're going onto a new journey, a new chapter.”
And as with all chapters, where one ends, another begins, ” We got a new baby, one to grow up one to take care of a new one to love, so it's never a dull moment down here.”
On this day, it’s a major moment of excitement. The newest panda born at the zoo will get a new name today. For months, the zoo has been taking name suggestions for the little guy. Suggestions had to be in Chinese with meaning. The five name finalists were Xiǎo Lóng ("Little Dragon"), Xióng Wěi ("Extraordinary Bear"), Fú Shèng ("Blissful San Diego"), Yǒng Xiǎng ("Eternally Blessed") and Yún Zǐ ("Son of Cloud").
Yún Zǐ was the name selected.
For more information on Pandas or if you’d like to make a donation to research:
www.sandiegozoo.orgwww.pandasinternational.orgFor more information on travel in Sichuan or other parts of China:
www.westchinaadventures.com
