Basic Information On The China Conservation And Research Center For The Giant Panda
- In 1980 the Chinese government decided to setup the world’s first Giant Panda conservation and research center in the Wolong National Nature Reserve called the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) to further the protection and research work on Giant Panda conservation. The Center is made up of four areas: Wuyipeng wild Giant Panda zoology observation station, Hetaoping captive Giant Panda breeding base in Wolong, the Disease Control Center in Dujiangyan and the Center of Scientific Research in Ya’an city, Sichuan province.
- CCRCGP focuses on the giant panda’s habitat protection and carries out research on the Giant Panda’s behavior, ecology, breeding, propagation, nursery, biochemical physiology, incretion, inheritance, disease prevention, population monitoring and so forth. After 30 years of research, the Giant Panda experts found solutions to the three challenges faced by the giant pandas: getting pandas to enter estrus and mate, getting them pregnant and ensuring that the cubs survive. As of 2010, the number of captive Giant Pandas increased from 10 in 1991 to over 170 currently. This formed 60% of the captive Giant Panda population, making it the biggest captive group in the world.
- In 2001, the Forestry Administration in Beijing decided to construct the Ya’an Bifengxia Panda base, a subsidiary branch of CCRCGP, to reduce the captive Giant Panda population pressure at the Wolong Panda base, to ensure additional protection for the Giant Pandas and to facilitate further research. It was completed on December 28, 2003. Ya’an Bifengxia Panda base is 300km from the Wolong base, covering an area of 71.6 hectares. There are functional areas for panda breeding, reproduction, rescue, scientific research and tourism. Three areas are accessible to visitors and volunteers: Baixiongping (White Bear Ground), the Panda Kindergarten and Leopard Mountain which is the paradise for Overseas-born pandas.
- In 2008, the Wolong base was destroyed in the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12. About 60 Giant Pandas from the Wolong base were transferred to the Bifengxia Panda base. There are now between 60-80 Giant Pandas at the Bifengxia base at any given time. The destroyed Wolong Panda Center has been rebuilt in a different location within the Wolong Nature Reserve but is not open to the public yet. At the same time, a third branch base, Dujiangyan Giant Panda Rescue and Disease Control Center has been completed and can be accessible with a tour group or for volunteers. The three bases in Wolong, Ya’an and Dujiangyan will enclose the central panda distribution areas in China’s west, southwest and northwest. This will be more effective and convenient for wild and captive Giant Pandas’ protection, breeding, rescue and scientific research work.
For Information about the volunteer program at Dujiangyan please click HERE