| Methods
to Improve Propagation of Pandas |
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| Giant panda experts and zoologists
are working on a worldwide effort to select genetically diverse mates to
ensure the birth of healthy panda cubs. Why the fuss? Because statistics
indicate that 78 percent of female giant pandas cannot bear cubs while 90
percent of their male counterparts suffer from sterility, partly due to
inbreeding. On Saturday, 40 experts, nature reserve administrators and
zoologists from home and abroad gathered in Chengdu, capital of Southwest
China's Sichuan Province, to discuss methods for improving the quality and
quantity of giant pandas that live in protection centers or zoos in China
and foreign countries. Due to their limited number and divided management
over their care, giant pandas in captivity suffer from inbreeding, and
this is affecting the quality of their cubs in varying degrees, experts
said. Seminar participants worked towards mapping out a five-year
management and implementation plan that would involve matching up giant
pandas with a mate. There are about 100 giant pandas bred in research
centers around the world. More than 30 of them live in the Chengdu Giant
Panda Breeding and Research Base. Less than 1,000 giant pandas exist in
the world, and 80 percent of that total are found in Sichuan. Giant panda
breeding and research centers around the world will work hand in hand,
conducting hereditary analysis and genealogical system research,
exchanging frozen sperm and even giant pandas, experts said. With the
involvement of Chinese and US experts, the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding
and Research Base kicked off the building of China's first genome resource
bank of endangered animal species last year.
(07Jan 2002) |
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