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| Note from Director Suzanne Braden |
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 Suzanne with Na Na's male twin born on July 22, 2009 in captivity.
Mr. Packham states, "The panda is a species of bear that has gone herbivorous and eats a type of food that isn't all that nutritious, and that dies out sporadically. It is susceptible to various diseases, and, up until recently, it has been almost impossible to breed in captivity. They've also got a very restricted range, which is ever decreasing, due to encroachment on their habitat by the Chinese population. Perhaps the panda was already destined to run out of time." As someone who has devoted her life to the pandas, I strongly disagree with his conclusions and some of what he said was incorrect and needs to be noted as such. Pandas have survived since the ice age and the first fossils were found in Pleistocene sediment so it is odd to conclude they are destined to run out of time. Yes, they are basically herbivores but pandas in the wild do quite well with a food source that is available and an integrated part of their habitat. "Almost impossible to breed in captivity?" Mr. Packham should read our emails about the cubs born so far this year and how this year could very well be record setting. Giant Pandas living in the wild seem to reproduce adequately and with unprecedented advances in research, captive breeding strategies and a major focus on safe and efficient reintroduction protocols, the future seems to mandate renewed effort for preservation, not giving up and letting this species die out. As to punctuate this point, Guo Guo, the first to give birth following the earthquake, has once again produced a set of twins, bringing the total to 16 cubs at the Bifengxia Center and there are still more cubs to come. Human encroachment has and continues to be a major problem but not simply for pandas. With greater frequency, citizens and their governments are realizing the value of wildlife and are devising ways to make animal populations more sustainable. People around the globe are taking to heart the notion that if they are part of the problem, they need to be part of the solution. So that said – let’s use this opportunity to focus on our beloved pandas and what we can do—despite Mr. Packham’s ill advised statements—to save them. And right now the most important thing is milk for all those very much alive babies "born in captivity." Please click here to make a donation to our formula fund >> Suzanne Original article in the China Daily
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-09/24/content_8728490.htm Editorial in the China Daily
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2009-09/24/content_8729318.htm follow up article in the UK Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/23/panda-extinction-chris-packham |
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 Pandas International is non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the Giant Panda. PANDAS INTERNATIONAL • P.O BOX 620335 • LITTLETON, CO 80123 |
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