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Pandas International May 2008 Newsletter
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Mother's
Day is Just Around the Corner – May
11
We
want to devote this newsletter
to all mothers! |
One of the major aspects of the China
Conservation & Research Center
for the Giant Panda – Wolong
Nature Reserve is breeding. The current
panda population is estimated at
only 1590. This number must be increased
in order for the species to survive.
The Wolong Reserve opened in 1980
and six years later in 1986, the
first cub in captivity was born.
In those early years very little
was known about panda breeding and
survival rates were poor. Now in
2008 the survival rate for captive
born cubs is about 90%. With artificial
insemination and careful monitoring
of the Moms births of cubs are definitely
up.
Wolong had 16 cubs in 2007, 18 cubs in 2006 and
19 cubs in 2005.(Wolong counts cubs born to pandas
on loan from Wolong in various zoos. i.e. cubs
born in San Diego and Washington D.C. are included
in their count as they will eventually go home
to Wolong).
In the spring a first step in breeding is to
very carefully monitor females’ hormone
levels when they come in estrus. Just like humans,
prenatal care, blood tests, and ultrasound tests
are very important.
Challenges exist when treating the female pandas.
In order for the veterinarians to draw blood
the pandas are carefully trained to extend their
arm and grasp a bar. For this to be successful
the panda’s personal caretaker must be
there and provide a favorite treat such as apples
(see photo at top right). |
Another important step in monitoring
all pregnant Moms is an ultrasound
test (see left). The ultrasound
helps to determine if a female is
pregnant and checks on the health
of the baby. For the ultrasound the
pandas are trained to enter a large
cage with wheels.
Then the pandas
are trained to
lay on their backs
with their paws
and most importantly
their claws on
the bars of the
cage. Again their
caretaker stays
with them the entire
time feeding their
favorite treat
(see right).
The Veterinarian then performs the ultrasound
test on the panda (below). |
Each panda is a little different;
some put up with the test very well
and others are not so pleased. This
panda (below) was known
to be very quick and liked to swipe
at the Vets performing the test so
an extension was added to the hand
piece. And as you can see she was
provided with LOTS of snacks to keep
her distracted.
Once the Mom
is close to delivery
she will "den" (at
right).
In the wild she
finds a cave
or hollow tree.
At Wolong she
stays in the
corner of her
enclosure. At
this point she
will stop eating
so no more tests
can be preformed.
Here you can
see Hua Mei curled
up getting ready.
She delivered
her 2007 twins
a couple days
later.
The Moms generally weigh about 165 lbs to 250
lbs. Newborn cubs are TINY and weigh only about
4 ounces. If you can imagine a stick of butter
which is pink, that’s what a panda cub
looks like. The Mom must be very careful with
the fragile newborn and tends to keep the cub
on her chest most of the time (right).
But like all babies,
pandas grow and
change fast. They
get their black
and white color
at about 5 to 7
weeks.
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Happy
Mother’s Day to all
Mothers
and all who will become Moms in 2008!
“Love the whole world as a mother loves her only child”— Buddha
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Spring
Cleaning for Earth Day
Earth
Day is April
22nd
how about celebrating by cleaning out unused
items and recycling them
at a yard sale or garage sale with the proceeds
going to help Save the Pandas.
Unused items get recycled and we can buy more
milk for the Pandas.
Pandas International will provide a poster
and some photos for signs.
To request poster contact info@pandasinternational.org
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Give
a Gift for Mother's Day That Will
Make a Difference!
Great
Gifts for Mom and
Help the Pandas,
Too! |
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OTHER
ITEMS...
PANDAS INTERNATIONAL RECEIVES "BEST
IN AMERICA" SEAL
Pandas International has been selected by
Independent Charities of America to receive the "Best
in America Seal." We are very proud to have
been selected for this seal and will continue to
strive to excel in our efforts to save the pandas!
REMEMBER PANDAS INTERNATIONAL IN YOUR WILL!
A Board Member of Pandas International called to let us know they
had included Pandas International in their will. A huge thanks
for the generous gesture! Please
contact us if you, too, would like to include Pandas International
in your will.
MONTHLY DONATIONS — One of
the best ways to help the pandas is to sign up for
an automatic monthly donation, for as little as $10.00
a month you can help us with the medical needs of
the pandas. Donate
now!
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS — Pandas
International has been selected as an approved agency
by the Combined Federal Campaign for federal employees
in Colorado. If you work for the federal government
please consider a payroll deduction for Pandas International.
COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN (CFC) — If
you are a Federal Employee and participate in the
CFC payroll deduction program please contact us for
our CFC number to donate through this program.
DOES YOUR COMPANY HAVE A MATCHING PAYROLL
DEDUCTION PLAN? Let us know if your company
has a payroll deduction or any type of matching donation
plan for which Pandas International could apply.
TEACHERS, SCOUT LEADER, SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS — One
of our generous sponsors, Pandas Express, the fastest
growing Asian cuisine restaurant chain, is teaming
with us to offer an educational program to local
elementary schools about the endangered pandas in
China. Panda Partners is an environmental
education program that uses age-appropriate materials
to bring pandas, conservation issues, and a bit of
China to the classroom. We have found most elementary
school aged children love the panda and are eager
to learn about them. If you are a teacher or know
one who might be interested please check the web
site at www.pandasinternational.org.
TRAVEL TO CHINA — We have
had several requests to travel to China to just the
panda reserves. Kim of Kim’s World Travel has
arrangements with Wolong and Bifengxia and can arrange
this type of trip for you. If interested please contact
Kim at Kim@Kimsworldtravel.com or
303.388.3813.
VOLUNTEER AT WOLONG — It is
now possible to volunteer at Wolong, cleaning cages,
delivering bamboo, etc. Kim of Kim’s World
Travel will make arrangements with Wolong for you
to volunteer. If interested please contact Kim at Kim@Kimsworldtravel.com or
303.388.3813.
PRIVACY POLICY: We respect your
desire for privacy and want to make you aware that
Pandas International's e-mail database is used solely
for the dissemination of Pandas International's information.
We will not sell, trade or share your email address
in any way. Click
here to see our privacy statement. |
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