China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda

Rachael Trost reporting

The Beifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda is tucked about 150 kilometers from Chengdu, the capitol of the Sichuan Providence in southwest China. CCRCGP was formed in 1980 through a partnership between the World Wildlife Fund and China in an effort to revive the declining panda population. The center focuses on research, education, and conservation of the endangered giant panda.

 

Logo of CCRCGP on a truck at the center. 

There is speculation about the exact number of Giant Pandas in the world, but the figures fall between 2,000 and 3,000, roughly around 1,500 in the wild. Although classified as carnivorous mammals, 99% of a panda’s diet consists of bamboo. Scientists agree the switch from meat to bamboo took place about 4.2 million years ago, but no answer as to why.

One reason CCRCGP is a leader in panda conservation revolves around panda breeding. Female pandas are only in estrus two to three day out of the year, marking a time frame of time for breeding. Breeding pandas in the Scientists and Researchers at the center have developed unique techniques such as showing pandas videos of mating to encourage the same behavior. Along with these issues, the center is growing information surrounding hormones, panda personalities, and information on the habits of these creatures. CCRCGP also prides itself on its efforts in  rearing and teaching new panda mothers.

The center here near the city of Ya’an boosts to hold over 80 captive bred Pandas, by far the largest number of pandas held in captivity in the world. Certain parts of the park are open to the public, while a majority is staff only research and breeding areas. The most popular destination within the center is the Panda Kindergarten. There visitors can find young pandas between the ages of 6 months to 2 years old playing together in an outside enclosure.

A worker bringing rocks to a new enclosure. Many workers were residents of
nearby small towns who need extra income. 

The center suffered a significant set-back after a 5.2 earthquake struck the region in 2008. The quake destroyed several panda enclosures and led to the relocation of nearly 20 pandas from the center to other zoos across China. As the center is in a pretty rural location, it took several days for assistance to reach the pandas and on-site employees. Many keepers are credited for keeping their pandas alive and calm during the ordeal.  The center is still working on rebuilding certain enclosures that were destroyed.

Staff members said the goal for this year is for at least 10 more panda cubs to be born, hopefully 12. It always depends on the success of researchers and some artificial insemination.