SAN DIEGO & SICHUEN, CHINA - Patience is what it takes to see the Pandas at the San Diego Zoo, pick any day of the week and you’ll still find long-lines at the Giant Panda Research Center, “Since 1996, the day they arrived, they are loved by one and all,” said Panda Keeper Kathy Hawk.
On this day, Hawk takes us for a behind the scenes look at the Panda exhibit, “"Just a press of the button,” she says as the doors open to a giant freezer, “This is where we store all of our bamboo,” The refrigerator is filled with bamboo, Kathy tells us the San Diego Zoo grows some 70 different species just for the Pandas. “Ok let's try Su-Linn,” says Kathy as she grabs and big bundle and heads for the outside.
With her big bundle of bamboo and bucket of treats Kathy heads down a long stairway, we follow and soon end up outside a gate. Kathy sits down with the goodies and begins to look up, “"Lin-Lin” she calls and shakes the bucket, “Lin-Lin.” The calling and shaking of the bucket lasted for a good five minutes, “Come-on sweet girl, come down here,” Kathy called to the trees, “that’s a good girl, come down here.” Minutes later, the black and white face peers around the corner…this is Su-Linn.
Su-Linn and her family are four of the biggest stars at the San Diego Zoo, each day the Giant Panda exhibit brings in millions of visitors. Su-Linn was born and raised at the San Diego, but her parents came from further away, thanks to a very special partnership. We wanted to find out more about this partnership.
My journey begins in Sichuan province, China. My Mother (my temporary camera crew) and I fly into Chengdu, a very modern city built along the Jin River, there we met up with Peter Wu, Panda Contact. From Chengdu, Peter drove for 2 ½ hours, from the city to the mountains, traveling some 150km (93 miles), and then we arrive at Bi Feng Xia Panda Reserve. As we drive in the gate, we pass by camels, goats and other animals. There are two parts to this Bi Feng Xia, a wild animal park and the Panda Research Center.
Bi Feng Xia Giant Panda Research CenterWe go to the Panda Research Center where we are greeted by Dr. Tang Chun Xiang, Assistant Director of the reserve. Dr. Tang says it was a relationship that began more than a decade ago, “September 12, 1996 was when we sent over the pandas Bai Yun and Sze Sze.” With that loan, a program began with zoos all over the U.S. and other countries. Pandas are sent out on loan as long as two conditions are met, research and any panda cubs born must return to China when they are mature.
Since Bai Yun and Sze Sze have come to San Diego, five panda cubs have been born. “When those pandas reach about 3 years of age, they go back to Wolong, where they have a breeding program there”, explained Ron Swaisgood, Director of Animal Ecology at the San Diego Zoo. “Through this partnership we're getting 10,15,20, cubs born every year, it’s a very big success.”
Taking care of the cubs is a lot of work, each of these panda cubs are hand raised by humans. Often Pandas give birth to twins, but when twins are born, mother pandas will not care for both cubs. In the wild the stronger cub is selected, it’s thought that the mother only has enough milk for one cub. In China, researchers developed a method of exchanging the cubs or "cub swapping". The caretakers leave one cub with the mother for her to care for and place one in an incubator. In the nursery, the staff is there 24 hours a day 7 days a week. After a week, the cubs are exchanged so both cubs will bond with their mother and receive her care.
One year ago, this work and it’s success almost came crashing down. An earthquake measuring magnitude 8.0 struck at the heart of Sichuan, it killed 70,000 people, injured millions and left the Wolong Panda Reserve devastated. “One panda died, one disappeared and one got hurt, there is still one missing to this day,” said Dr. Tang. “The one that died was found buried underneath a house that collapsed. Today the pandas have moved to Bi Feng Xia Panda Reserve, temporary facility. While scientists have a place to work and the Pandas, a place to stay, space is running out. “We hope to have a new facility built in the next five years, but two to three years at the earliest,” says Dr. Tang.
Sharon Chen interviews Dr. Tang, assistant director of the reserveMuch of rebuilding Wolong is dependent upon fundraising, “We have so much to be thankful after the earthquake there’s so many organizations working together to help China rebuild,” says Dr. Tang. San Diego Zoo is one of these organizations. Not only are they helping with fundraising, they are also researching design. “We're working with Wolong to develop plans what the new breeding center will look like,” said Swaisgood.
In addition to outside contributions, the Panda Reserve is also conducting fundraising efforts of its own, much of it through tourism. While we’re at Bi Feng Xia, I’m given the opportunity to participate by getting up close and personal with my panda subjects. I’m told to suit up in a disposable gown, gloves and shoe protectors. “It will protect the Panda from people germs.”
As I sit on the bench waiting, I hear the gate open and in walks a Panda Keeper with Ling-Ling. They carry him in like a large baby and place him on the bench next to me and hand him a carrot. We spend a few minutes looking at each other as he chomps on his carrot. Then the clicking begins, for each picture taken, its $75 US dollars.
There are also programs like Playtime with Pandas ($750 for 5 minutes with Panda cubs) and even Adopt a Panda. These programs help to raise funds for day to day operations, for example the milk panda cubs drink and incubators for infant pandas (provided now by Pandas International). The monies will also go towards a bigger and better Panda Research center and to rebuild the Panda population.
When it comes to endangered species, Pandas are barely holding on at number two on the list, with less than 2,000 left in the world. The breakdown is about 300 in captivity and less than 1,600 in the wild. In captivity, the survival rate overall has reached 90%. “We’re removing some of the mystery about this animal and it allows us to manage them better,” said Swaisgood. “We are concentrating on doing research and how to begin sending these pandas back to the wild,” said Dr. Tang.
With the boost from the San Diego zoo and researchers in China, the hope is the Giant Panda’s numbers will continue to climb upwards and never fall again.
For more information on donations and programs, including Adopt-a-Panda, you can to go to
www.pandasinternational.org.
For more information on travel in China or these panda experiences,
contact www.westchinadventures.com.
