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A traumatized pandas is comforted by human touch. (Image: China News Service)
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The plight of the pandas
“Rescuing the missing pandas and taking care of the others in the center are our top priorities now” CRI Nordic
“Massive landslides and large scale damage to forests triggered by last month's earthquake are threatening the existence of wild pandas” AFP
Sichuan is home to China's biggest panda research and breedings centers. The panda sanctuaries were located near the epicenter of the Wenchuan quake that has caused untold damage in the region. Giant pandas are already one of the most endangered animals in the world. How did the earthquake affect China's best loved and most famous symbol?
The Wenchuan earthquake destroyed large tracts of bamboo forests, leading to a food shortage for the 67 pandas at the Chengdu Research Base, China.org reports. The Telegraph said that because of the damage to the area, the pandas have had to be put on a ration of bamboo, with EITB 24 saying that the bamboo left would last the pandas for only three- to fivemonths.
Hindu.com says that the Wolong Nature Reserve would have to be relocated because of the damage it sustained from the quake while AP reports on the devastation in the panda's habitat. The remaining pandas, Xinhua says, were relocated to keep them safe from further geological disasters.
The pandas themselves were traumatized by the quake, and both the Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian report on how keepers are trying to slowly help them adjust. Human touch, the reports say, helps soothe the giant pandas.
Scientists say that up to 90 percent of giant pandas are in danger from their destroyed habitat, UPI says. Even the number of pandas killed by the May 12 earthquake remains uncertain. What can be done to help the pandas of Sichuan?
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| China | Europe | North-America | From elsewhere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolong Pandas Expected to Leave for Beijing as Scheduled CRI Nordic - 20th May 2008 A total of eight pandas selected to entertain tourists at the Olympic Games period, are expected to leave for Beijing on May 24 as scheduled, despite the quake hitting their hometown in Sichuan. Giant pandas evacuated from quake-hit reserve Xinhua - 24th June 2008 Ten giant pandas from a breeding base in southwest China's Sichuan Province were evacuated on Tuesday to avoid threats from possible geological disasters after the May 12 massive earthquake. Pandas lead frugal life in Chengdu base China Daily - 13th June 2008 Zhuang Yong, the freestyle swimming gold medallist of the Barcelona Olympics, spent 100,000 yuan (US$14,492) adopting two giant pandas Friday in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, becoming the first panda adopter after the May 12 earthquake. "Olympic Pandas" make debut at Beijing Zoo People's Daily - 5th June 2008 Enthusiastic visitors queued to buy tickets to the renovated panda hall and took pictures from outside the newly expanded glass enclosure, where wooden toy trees, a mural and swimming pools create a homey environment. 67 pandas in the Chengdu reserve facing food shortage China.org.cn - 16th June 2008 Over 20 natural reserves for pandas were damaged by the quake. And 67 pandas in the Chengdu reserve are now facing a shortage of food. |
Pandas in China put on bamboo rations The Telegraph - 23rd June 2008 The magnitude eight earthquake triggered landslides which poured down the mountain-sides that are home not only to wild pandas but also to the bamboo that is the major part of their diet. China's pandas in danger following quake: experts AFP - 13th June 2008 The lives of nearly 90 percent of China's endangered pandas are in danger after last month's earthquake devastated their mountainous habitat, Chinese government experts have warned. Hugs for pandas shocked by quake Guardian - 3rd June 2008 Hugs, games and plenty of bamboo. It is an unusual method for handling anxiety, but keepers believe it is helping to calm pandas upset by last month's earthquake in Sichuan. 3 to 5 months' supply of bamboo for pandas in China EITB 24 - 14th June 2008 Officials say there is only between three to five months' supply of bamboo for the pandas to eat. Staff at Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Centre were trying to find fresh supplies of bamboo. |
Giant panda habitat devastated by China quake AP - 17th June 2008 A Chinese forestry official said Tuesday that giant panda habitat in China's Sichuan province, the endangered animal's main preserve, was devastated by last month's massive earthquake. Saving China's pandas MSNBC - 17th June 2008 Wu Daifu, a panda keepers, explains how China's famous pandas were protected after the devastating quake struck China on May 12. Post-Quake Threats Drive China To Evacuate Remaining Pandas Red Orbit - 24th June 2008 All remaining giant pandas at a major breeding base in China’s earthquake-devastated Sichuan Province will be evacuated as landslides and other post-quake dangers remain a significant threat, China’s Chengdu Business Daily reported Tuesday. Quake jeopardizes endangered pandas UPI - 13th June 2008 Ninety percent of China's endangered pandas are in jeopardy after May's massive earthquake destroyed their last remaining habitat, scientists said. |
Human touch helps traumatised pandas Sydney Morning Herald - 17th June 2008 The epicentre of the massive Sichuan earthquake was a few kilometres from the Wolong giant panda research centre. While geologists survey the valley to find a more stable site to rebuild the best centre of its kind, the keepers are focused on protecting the animals and easing their trauma. China relocating research centre for giant Pandas The Hindu - 10th June 2008 China's most famous conservation and research centre for giant Pandas would be relocated following the damage caused by the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province and the potential risks of landslides from it, a top official said. Pandas expose tourists’ spiritual souls University of Queensland - 23rd June 2008 Tourists who see pandas at China's leading panda zoos consider it a spiritual experience but are unsure how they can help conserve them, a UQ tourism study has found. |
