PANDA PRESS - Pandas International · 4 Change in Giant Panda Status from “Endangered” to...

12
PANDA PRESS 2016

Transcript of PANDA PRESS - Pandas International · 4 Change in Giant Panda Status from “Endangered” to...

1

PANDA PRESS

2016

2

Letter from the DirectorLike most years, 2016 seemed like a very busy year, which went by much too fast.

We received lots of requests for items needed at the panda centers, and we did our very best to fulfill all the requests, as we know you wanted us to. As the captive panda population continues to grow, more panda bases are needed to accommodate them. The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda now has four different bases. As the number of pandas has grown, so have the needs. Multiple bases are needed in the event of a major epidemic.

This summer I was honored to attend the first Chinese International Panda Cultural Conference (see page 8), where I received an award for service to the Pandas. While honored, I don’t need awards to know Pandas International is doing great things to help the pandas, through your support, YOU are the ones who deserve an award.

What YOU made possible in 2016 Direct Support of the Panda Reserves at the China Conservation & Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP);

Wolong Nature Reserve Wenchuan (Gengda and Hetaoping), Sichuan Province P.R. 623006 China

Bifengxia Nature Reserve Yucheng District, Ya’An City, Sichuan Province 625000 China

Dujiangyan Center for Disease Control, Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province 625000 China

• Esbilac milk formula for nursery and bottles and nipples

• Medications: flea & tick, worming & vaccines

• Reintroduction program supplies

• Laboratory equipment

• Medical equipment: 2 new VetScan blood chemistry analyzers

• Automatic self-watering units

• 2 new anesthetic delivery devices

• Support for panda research and the first International Conference on Panda Conservation

• Support for staff

• Photography equipment

I also have just attended the first International Panda Culture Communication Activity, where people who adopt a panda are invited to visit their panda and the panda bases in China. The group visited the Dujiangyan, Gengda and Bifengxia panda bases. It was a great overview of the various centers you support through Pandas International (see page 7 for more info).

Also on this recent trip I participated in the first International Conference on Giant Panda Conservation with panda researchers and scientists from around the world. It was my privilege to be included in this conference. (See page 10 for more info).

It feels like 2016 was a good year, and because of YOU, our dedicated supporters, we were able to accomplish a great deal. It’s a privilege to serve as the volunteer Director of Pandas International.

Our ongoing goal is to keep our overhead low while increasing our service to the pandas, and each of you truly make this possible! Thank you wholeheartedly for being part of Pandas International’s mission to help save the Giant Pandas. We are looking forward to much more in 2017!

Suzanne Braden, Director

Medical Program & Direct Support of the Panda Reserves

3

Mother Date of Birth Gender Name of Cub

Xin Ni Er June 25 Male Hua Bao

Xin Ni Er June 25 Male Xin Bao

Qian Qian June 27 Male Ya Xing

Qian Qian June 27 Male Ping Ping

Xi Xi June 30 Female Ya Mei

Si Xue July 12 Female Ying Xue

Xi Mei July 26 Male Ba Xi

Lin Ping July 27 Female

Zhen Zhen August 8 Female

Zhen Zhen August 8 Female

Ting Ting August 9 Female Yue Yue

Ge Ge August 9 Female He He

Ge Ge August 9 Female Jiu Jiu

Jin Xin August 14 Male

Jin Xin August 14 Female

Yao Man August 18 Male Qing Qing

Yao Man August 18 Female Bing Bing

Fei Fei August 22 Female Fei Li

Min Min August 31 Female

Jun Zhu September 6 Female Ke Ke

* Not all cubs have been named. Please follow our blog for updated information.

Naming the 2015 Cubs

Medical Program & Direct Support of the Panda Reserves

4

Change in Giant Panda Status from “Endangered” to “Vulnerable”

Many of you have questioned the change in status of the Giant Pandas by the IUCN. Let us take this opportunity to say, on one hand, this is cause for celebration. It shows that with your support, progress is being made in panda conservation. The Chinese have been working since the 1960’s to save their National Treasure and this affirms the efforts are paying off. The captive population is stable with 422 in captivity at the end of 2015. This exceeds the number set forth in the Species Survival Plan which is excellent news.

That said...We must temper our celebration because there are still great concerns and we have definitely NOT reached even modest goals in Panda Conservation. The IUCN states that the vulnerable status is still at high risk of extinction in the wild.

What does it mean for Panda Conservation? Our greatest fear is the public and our supporters will think that pandas are safe at the present time and become complacent. If the government or the public becomes lax in conservation efforts, the pandas and our collective achievements to date could rapidly slide backwards. There may be many unintended consequences resulting from this change including more human activity and trekking in their habitat. The recent International Conference on Panda Conservation (see page 10) published conclusions which state the Giant panda is still endangered.

Premature - We defer to Zhang Hemin, head of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Pandas, who said he felt it was too early to downgrade their status. He expressed concerns about the severely fragmented natural habitat which still threatens the lives of pandas. Another concern he expressed focuses on continuing research and monitoring of the genetic status of the different populations that, while improved, is still not satisfactory. Climate change is widely expected to have an adverse effect on the bamboo forests which provide the pandas both their food and their home. Zhang feels there is still a great deal to be accomplished in both protection and management terms.

According to Zhang, “the wild giant panda population is broken up into 33 isolated groups, some with fewer than 10 individuals, severely limiting the gene pool. Of the 18 sub-populations consisting of fewer than 10 pandas, all face a high risk of collapse.”

“With the conservation status downgrade, protection work might slacken off and both the panda population and their habitat are more likely to suffer irreversible loss, present protection achievements will be lost and some small sub-populations may die out. So we must look at the big picture of the entire species, if one of these populations dies off it would be very harmful.

Additionally, the reintroduction program is in its infancy and has a long way to go before it can be declared a success. Extensive research also needs to be conducted on contagious diseases in order to protect both the captive and wild Giant Panda populations.

5

A group of 60 Giant Panda supporters held their annual Giant Panda Birthday party this year on August 20th, 2016 at Lillie’s Restaurant in Washington, D. C. As a result of their efforts, they raised over $5,000 by holding a live auction, a silent auction, raffle and sale of Bao Bao and Bei Bei medallions (which are on sale in the Pandas International On-Line Store as well). The money will be used to support the CCRCGP efforts to increase Giant Panda enrichment. And this year, the group was honored to have a very special attendee – distinguished guest Dr. Li DeShang who is the Deputy Director and Head Veterinarian at the CCRCGP. Once again this year, the group created and signed a Special Giant Panda Birthday Banner that includes photos of all the Birthday Pandas. Those who attended the party signed the banner with special birthday wishes for our beloved bears. Suzanne Braden took the banner to China in October and presented it to the keepers at the Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base where Pan Pan and Tai Shan live.

Pandas International would like to thank each of the 60 people who participated in this year’s Giant Panda Birthday and for raising over $5,000.00

Did you know? In captivity, when a panda mom is unable to care for her cub - or in the case of twins at times

- surrogate mamas step in.

Mother Date of Birth Gender

You You August 10 MaleYou You August 10 FemaleHao Hao June 2 MaleGuo Guo July 9 FemaleShu Qin July 16 Female

Zhuang Mei July 30 FemaleZhuang Mei July 30 Female

Mei Xi July 31 MaleMei Xi July 31 FemaleXi Dou August 4 MaleXi Dou August 4 Female

Yang Yang August 7 ?Yang Yang August 7 ?Qiao Qiao August 11 FemaleQiao Qiao August 11 Male

Bo Si August 14 ?Bo Si August 14 ?

Cui Cui August 17 FemaleYang Hua August 19 FemaleSu Shan August 26 MaleShui Xiu September 5 ?Wang Jia September 7 Female

2016 CCRCGP New Born Panda Cubs

Giant Panda Birthday Party Weekend

Information is to the best of our knowledge.

66

Adopter Adopted Panda Nickname Country

Manny Adelstein Bing Bing USA

Abdullah Al Baker Bing Jing USA

Suzanne & Jerry Qing Feng Harvey Jr USA

Suzanne & Jerry Su Shan USA

Suzanne & Jerry Su Shan’s Cub Jerry Jr USA

Suzanne & Jerry Zhang Ka Evelyn USA

Bonnie Budwig Ao Ao USA

William & Karom Jin Ke USA

William & Karom Lin Ping USA

Francis Chan Ying Xue Lin Lin Hong Kong

Chet Chin Feng Yi Yoong Ping Malaysia

Chet Chin Gong Gong Feng Er Malaysia

Chet Chin Gong Zhu Malaysia

Jeanette Deines Su Lin USA

Jeanette Deines &

Velia Watts

Zhen Zhen USA

Canada

Ava Dinapoli Su Shan Bamboo USA

Anne Wescott Dodd Zhen Zhen’s USA

Judy Dolan Huan Huan USA

Judy Dolan Qian Qian USA

Rita Dunn Shui Xiu Australia

Judy Etherington Si Jia USA

Michelle Fitz-Gerald Han Han Australia

Frele Family Zhen Zhen’s 2nd Ki Ki USA

Maria Frizzoni Han Han SwitzerlandMaria Frizzoni Pan Pan Switzerland

Nart Fongsmut Lin Ping’s 2nd Thailand

Susan Guill Ying Ying USA

Christy Haragan Bing Hua UK

Christie &Todd Bao Bao USA

Christie Harper Zhen Zhen USA

Gloria & Peter Harm Lin Ping’s 2nd Australia

Cecilia & David Howes Fei Li Canada

Charlene Johnson Shen Bin USA

Ellen Keely Bing Jing, Hao

Hao, Hua Mei,

Jia Jia, Shen Bin,

Su Lin, Ting Ting,

Tuan Tuan, Yuan

Yuan, Yuan Zai,

Yue Yue, Zhen

Zhen, Zhen

Zhen’s twins

USA

Walter Kopcza Xin Nier Saba Dream USA

Oxana Korobko Zhen Zhen’s 1st Russia

Annie Lai Ning Ning Hong Hong Hong Kong

Annie Lai Rong Rong Hong Kong

Linda Lee Si Xue Juan Juan Australia

Gayle Lego Min Min USA

Gayle Lego Min Min’s cub USA

Giant Panda Lovers Wen Yu USA

Panda AdoptionsAdopter Adopted Panda Nickname Country

Candice Li Bing Jing Taiwan

Carol Loveless Su Shan Hope USA

Sharon Ludwig Bing Jing Chun Chun USA

Fran Mandeville Xin Nier USA

Andi McLean &

Jim Tupper

Bing Jing

Qing Shan

Joan

An Di

UK

UKJoAnn & Joe Mann Lin Ping’s 2nd Xie Xie Pearl UK

Patricia Millius Bao Bao USA

Cynthia Murphy Hai Zi USA

Mefong Ng Bing Jing You Zai Malaysia

Jim & Ashley Oberhofer Jia Jia Tammy Sue USA

Piper Palko Fei Li Lee Lee USA

Evan & Ashleigh Pivonka Ao Ao USA

Sanyaluk Promanpol Zhuang Mei Thailand

Puspasara Repass Zhen Zhen’s 2nd Kaihua UK

Rose Richards Su Shan Australia

Rose Richards Su Xing Australia

Mollie Rivera Hua Mei USA

Wayne Robinson Duo Duo Australia

Tom & Monica Rogan Jin Ke Peter USA

Li Rui Tong Tong China

Li Rui Peng Peng China

Olivier & Quynh Schneegans

Fu Long France

Simply Panda Yue Liang Lulu USA

Selah Smith Su Xing USA

Vanida Sricharoen Lin Ping Thailand

Nattaprapa Lin Ping Thailand

Cami Taylor Bing Jing USA

Ron & Susan Telesko Ge Ge Su-Lin USA

Ron & Susan Telesko Jun Zhu Ar-Lin USA

Rowan & Taya Ying Xue Raisin USA

Joey Tu & Roxanne Tran Hua Li USA

Shannon Tucholski Yi Ran USA

Village School Tong Tong Village USA

Mary & Hayden Vinquist Hao Hao USANottaporn

Visutasunthorn

Lin Ping Thailand

Simon Westwood Min Min’s Cub USA

Karen Wille Pan Pan USA

Linda Wroth Hai Zi USA

Judy Young Bao Bao USA

Annette Yuen Ao Yun Ao Yun Yuen Hong Kong

Annette Yuen Si Jia Si Jia Yuen Hong Kong

Weiyi Zhang Qian Qian China

77

“12th Hug My Baby” adopters’ gathering: Back to Wolong By: Chet Chin

In September 2014, adopters were told the gathering in 2016 might be held in Hetaoping aka Old Wolong which had been extensively damaged by the 2008 earthquake. Well, the 2016 gathering has just ended. It was not held in Hetaoping, but we were taken for a visit there, as well as a visit to Gengda aka New Wolong.

On the morning of the 15th, we were told we would be visiting Gengda in the morning, and Hetaoping in the afternoon. WOW!

Ever since we learned of Gengda being built to replace Hetaoping, many of us had longed to visit. The construction of the base was, however, not matched by the roads which were washed away by heavy rains and floods more than once. This year, finally, the roads were rebuilt so that we could visit. Gengda is now less than two hours from Dujiangyan while Hetaoping is about 45 minutes from Gengda.

I had been to Hetaoping before, just once, but it was enough for me to declare I would be back the next year and every year after that. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep my promise due to the massive earthquake on 12 May 2008.

To me, Hetaoping that afternoon looked the same as when I was there nine years ago. Of course, many things have changed but the buildings have been repaired so that things felt the same. According to Suzanne, the most damage was further in where the training for the “reintroduction to the wild” programme is held, an area that is off-limits to the public, including panda adopters.

That afternoon, the focus of our visit - at least for me - was the Wolong Honor Wall. The wall was a miracle to behold as it had survived the 2008 earthquake. Mr Huang Yan, leader of the reintroduction programme who welcomed us to Hetaoping that afternoon, said they’ve carefully cleaned and maintained the wall.

On the Honor Wall are names of lifetime adopters, individuals and organisations, including Pandas International; special donations by individuals and organisations, including donors for 2006. As this was not updated before the earthquake, the 2006 list of donors remains to this day. I had adopted Feng Yi when she was a month old in September 2006 so my name is on the list. I must’ve been PI’s first international adopter, and the Wolong Panda Club must’ve thought there was a mistake in the information they received, and took it upon themselves to change my country to “USA”.

The four-day “12th Hug My Baby” gathering (13 to 17 October 2016) included visits to four panda bases - Dujiangyan, Gengda, Hetaoping and Bifengxia. We also attended an opening ceremony in Dujiangyan which launched a new name for “Hug My Baby” - “Chinese International Panda Culture Communication Activity”, henceforth to be known as CIPCCA. Suzanne gave a very moving and encouraging speech during the ceremony. There was also a visit to Sichuan University where Bill and Karom shared about how they came to love giant pandas.

We stayed at the Panda Hotel in Dujiangyan, setting forth each morning for panda day trips. This meant quite a few hours on the bus every day. It couldn’t have been easy herding ... I mean, managing three bus-loads of panda adopters from China and around the world (Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, USA, and Malaysia), but the Wolong Panda Club staff did it. They do it every year! Thank you, Jason, CeeYou, May, Mika and Fay, and also Levy and Jane! Till next year ... and remember, it’s CIPCCA from now on.

8

Awards and the Opening of a Panda Culture MuseumOne main purpose of this trip was for Suzanne to attend the Panda Culture Conference and the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Museum of Art for Ecology & Calligraphy for the Panda. Suzanne along with many prominent Chinese artists, authors, and calligraphers spoke at the conference regarding their interest in and love for the panda and how various disciplines could work together for Conservation efforts to help save the pandas.

The conference was hosted by the State Forestry Department of China, China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), China Green Foundation Artist Ecological Society and China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP).

Suzanne was recognized for her work with the pandas and received an Honor Certificate saying: “Suzanne Braden- We appreciate to Pandas International presented by you for your long-term caring and supporting of the giant panda conservation career. Expressly award Mrs. Suzanne Braden the “Giant Pandas International Caring People Outstanding Contribution Award”, presented by CWCA and CCRCGP Museum of Art for Ecology & Calligraphy for the Panda. Many local officials, Forestry Service officers and national media attended the opening ribbon cutting ceremony. The Museum is dedicated to art and calligraphy focused on pandas.

Ice Cakes for All of the Pandas at Dujiangyan

The Giant Pandas at Dujiangyan all celebrated their birthdays this summer by being given ice cakes filled with bamboo leaves and shoots, apples, and carrots. These wonderful cakes were donated to the Pandas by the many supporters of Pandas International.

Ice is a very rare commodity in China making it much harder to make these wonderful enrichment treats for the Pandas. The huge ice blocks that the pandas lay on take almost 3 weeks to make and the cakes themselves took over 3 days to make. We are thankful for the amazing staff at Dujiangyan who took the extra time to make these delicious treats for the Pandas.

Pan Pan also got to enjoy in the fun celebrating his 31st birthday. Due to Pan Pan’s aging teeth, he was given a bamboo bread cake instead of an ice cake.

Highlights from Suzanne’s 2016 Trips to China*Suzanne covers her own travel expenses when traveling to China. NO PI funds are ever used for her travel.

9

Suzanne Visits BaSiIn addition to checking on the CCRCGP pandas, sometimes I like to see other important pandas when I travel to China.*

Due to her failing health, it seemed the right time to visit BaSi in Fuzhou.

In 1984, the bamboo in Baoxing province flowered and died. A local woman saw a small panda being chased by a dog into the river. The panda was then stranded on the side of a raging, icy river. With the help of a family member she tied a rope around her waist and waded in to the ice cold water of the BaSi River. She reached the scared panda and brought it to shore. She then called local authorities to alert them about the skinny sick panda.

Dr. Tang Chungxiang of CCRCGP went to Baoxing to retrieve the starving panda. The panda was named BaSi after the river she was found in. Dr. Tang took her to the Wolong panda base to recover. She was estimated to be about 4 years old at the time, so she was likely born in 1980. At Wolong she was nursed back to health. After 1 1/2 years at Wolong she visited the US and was then transferred to Fuzhou, where she has lived ever since.

BaSi has survived cataract surgery and several bouts of severe illness, thanks to Dr. Xui, Dr. Chen and her keepers. BaSi developed a very special relationship with one of her keeper, Ms Shi Fening. Unfortunately, Ms. Shi Fening died suddenly in March of this year. Ms. Shi had worked at the Fuzhou panda base for over 20 years and with BaSi exclusively for the past 6 years.

BaSi who turned 35 in November, is currently in failing health, with high blood pressure and arthritis. She is totally blind, and moves very slowly but can still go outside by following the sounds her keeper makes banging on a bowl. BaSi is adapting to the loss of Ms. Shi Fening. BaSi is basically in hospice care at this time. Keepers and Dr. Xui are doing what they can to make BaSi as comfortable as possible and monitor her quality of life so she doesn’t suffer. She eats a large bowl of ground food with milk each morning, but it takes her over 30 minutes to finish.

It was a pleasure to meet BaSi, at the end of her long life. In honor of Ms. Shi Fening, Pandas International has made a donation for her daughter to purchase school supplies for the fall semester. Her daughter is obviously still having a very hard time with her grief. In Fuzhou, if some one is Beautiful they say she is very BaSi.

*Suzanne covers her own travel expenses when traveling to China. NO PI funds are ever used for her travel.

Suzanne Delivers Much Needed Medical Supplies

There are two panda centers now open in the Wolong Nature Reserve, Hetaoping (the old Wolong Panda Base that is now part of the reintroduction program) and Gengda (the new base). Since both have pandas, it is critical that both centers have an up to date Vet Scan Blood Chemistry Analyzer to perform blood testing on sick pandas.

This month two new Vet Scans were hand carried to China. The Vet Scans provide on-site diagnoses, with ten blood panels to choose from, requiring only a few drops of blood for the testing.

Dr. Li Caiwu was very pleased to receive this equipment from Pandas International. Each Vet Scan is $12,000.

10

International Conference on Giant Panda Conservation

Sponsored by the State Forestry Administration (SFA) and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda

The Chinese government has devoted great attention to Giant Panda protection work. According to the results of the fourth national survey of the Giant Panda, at the end of 2015, the wild Giant Panda population had reached 1,864. This is an increase of 16.8% from the third national survey, ten years earlier. At the end of 2015, the Giant Panda captive population reached 422, of which 49 are living abroad (in about 20 zoos) and 106 pandas reside in 49 Chinese zoos.

In order to further strengthen the conservation and research of the Giant Panda, the Chinese government approved a conference for an extensive and in-depth exchange of international and national experiences and achievements in conservation and research of the Giant Panda. CCRCGP hosted the first “Inter-national Conference on Giant Panda Conservation”, October 18th to 20th, 2016, in Dujiangyan City.

There were 150 interested parties who attended. Scientific research institutions, universities, NGOs and individuals supporting the protection of the Giant Pan-das attended this conference from: across China, USA, Finland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Austria, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia, and Japan.

The Themes for the conference were:

• The Wild training and reintroduction of the Gi-ant Panda

• Nature conservation

• The population safety and quality management of Giant Pandas

• Scientific knowledge popularization

• Education of the public about Giant Pandas

11

The conference was designed to communicate and discuss new tech-niques, methods, and sharing of experiences from the Giant Panda captive affiliations.

The leaders in charge of the national wildlife conservation of the State Forestry Administration gave the keynote speech. Then various experts gave speeches on the following-

• Current situation and mission for Giant Panda Conservation

• Wildlife epidemic diseases

• Conservation partnerships

• Panda Reintroduction and pubic support

• Investigation of Giant Panda distemper vaccination status and dis-ease epidemiology

• Evolution of diet and dental system of the Giant Panda

• Study of intestinal flora comparison between captive, in wild training and released and wild Giant Pandas

• Reintroduction of wild horses as an example of a successful Rein-troduction program

• Metagenomic analysis of gut microbiota in Giant Pandas

• Wildlife health risks assessment for Reintroduction programs

• The rare mother in Vienna zoo raising twins

• Survey of DNA in wild Giant Pandas in the Wolong Nature Reserve

• Free mate choice enhances breeding

The conference organizers reached the following consensus: The achievements of the Chinese Government in Giant Panda conservation and research, have resulted in the expansion of the habitat, the growth of the population and the advancement of Reintroduction into the wild. The Giant Panda is a valuable asset to all humans and it is our shared responsibility to protect them as they remain endangered. Hence close collabo-ration between management, research, and public education is needed to promote Giant Panda conserva-tion in the future. In order to promote international cooperation and exchange an international conference should be held annually, run by CCRCGP. It was recognized that the protection of the Giant Pandas has a long way to go and all parties need to work together with their collective efforts focused on continued Giant Panda conservation.

This Scientific Conference was partially funded by a grant from the Annenberg Foundation.

Suzanne Braden, Director

*Photos (with the exception of the mom and twins) © Tim Flach

12

Bamboo Leaves Partners

Hogan Lovells, LLPKonectIDYMekameka

Swole PandaThe Dinosaur Project

Tickled PinkTeam Husar

TobiTravel-Ticker

Wilde AnimalsYoungsies

Colorado Gives Day

Please make your year-end donations on Tuesday, December 6. See enclosed insert for more information.

We welcome feedback on the printed Panda Press.

Email us at [email protected] or call us at 303-933-2365.

Visit us online at www.pandasinternational.org

TWITTER: PandasInt FACEBOOK: Pandas International

Bamboo Shoots Partners

Accessory PowerAdrenalist Company, LLC

Anne BelovErica Vojnich

Kim’s World TravelSuncor Energy

Bamboo Forest Partners

Explore.orgGift RepublicSpirit Hoods

Tsingtao

Please Help Us Thank and Support our Panda Partners

Please contact us if you are a business that wishes to sponsor us and

be listed on the Panda Partners page along with a direct link to your

website.

Pandas International will host its annual Chinese New Year’s Dinner, on Saturday, February 25, 2017 in Denver Colorado.

For more information, please check our website

Mark your calendars