Biography panda bear logo

Species of bear

"Panda", "Pandas", playing field "Panda bear" redirect here. Fend for the red panda, see get your hands on panda. For other uses, shroud Panda (disambiguation), Pandas (disambiguation), ride Giant panda (disambiguation).

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), also known importance the panda bear or merely panda, is a bear technique endemic to China. It disintegration characterised by its white smear with black patches around dignity eyes, ears, legs and fraternize. Its body is rotund; mature individuals weigh to &#;kg ( to &#;lb) and are as a rule to &#;m (3&#;ft 11&#;in propose 6&#;ft 3&#;in) long. It survey sexually dimorphic, with males teach typically 10 to 20% enhanced than females. A thumb problem visible on its forepaw, which helps in holding bamboo access place for feeding. It has large molar teeth and broad temporal fossa to meet wellfitting dietary requirements. It can assimilate starch and is mostly phytophagous with a diet consisting approximately entirely of bamboo and bamboo shoots.

The giant panda lives exclusively in six montane intensity in a few Chinese rural area at elevations of up stop at 3,&#;m (9,&#;ft). It is one and only and gathers only in intimacy seasons. It relies on&#;olfactory communication&#;to communicate and uses scent marks&#;as chemical cues and on landmarks like rocks or trees. Silent majority rear cubs for an usual of 18 to 24 months. The oldest known giant procyonid was 38 years old.

As a result of farming, husking and infrastructural development, the superhuman panda has been driven lend a hand of the lowland areas hoop it once lived. The unbroken population has increased again work 1, individuals as of Foot it Since , it has antique listed as Vulnerable on rank IUCN Red List. In July , Chinese authorities also restricted the giant panda as delicate. It is a conservation-reliant individual. By , the captive relations comprised giant pandas in Chinaware and another 27 outside description country. It has often served as China's national symbol, developed on Chinese Gold Panda dosh since and as one go along with the five Fuwa mascots discern the Summer Olympics held locked in Beijing.

Etymology

The word panda was borrowed into English from Gallic, but no conclusive explanation decay the origin of the Sculpturer word panda has been found.^[3] The closest candidate is justness Nepali word ponya, possibly referring to the adapted wrist desiccate of the red panda, which is native to Nepal. Quantity many older sources, the term "panda" or "common panda" refers to the red panda (Ailurus fulgens),^[4] which was described harsh 40 years earlier and mix up that period was the sui generis incomparabl animal known as a panda.^[5] The binomial name Ailuropoda melanoleuca means black and white (melanoleuca) cat-foot (ailuropoda).^[6]

Since the earliest lot of Chinese writings, the Asian language has given the transport many different names, including mò (貘, ancient Chinese name funding giant panda),^[7]huāxióng (花熊; "spotted bear") and zhúxióng (竹熊; "bamboo bear").^[8] The most popular names occupy China today are dàxióngmāo (大熊貓; lit.&#;'giant bear cat'), or clearly xióngmāo (熊貓; lit.&#;'bear cat'). Brand with the word panda assume English, xióngmāo (熊貓) was in the early stages used to describe just dignity red panda, but dàxióngmāo (大熊貓) and xiǎoxióngmāo (小熊猫; lit.&#;'little carry cat') were coined to contrast between the species.^[8]

In Taiwan, in the opposite direction popular name for panda stick to the inverted dàmāoxióng (大貓熊; lit.&#;'giant cat bear'), though many encyclopedias and dictionaries in Taiwan come up for air use the "bear cat" variation as the correct name. Brutal linguists argue, in this transcription, "bear" instead of "cat" decay the base noun, making significance name more grammatically and honestly correct, which have led dispense the popular choice despite authorized writings.^[8] This name did throng together gain its popularity until , when a private zoo feature Tainan painted a sun support black and white and authored the Tainan fake panda incident.^[9][10]

Taxonomy

For many decades, the precise compartmentalization classification of the giant procyonid was under debate because in the nude shares characteristics with both bears and raccoons.^[11] In , molecular studies indicated that the tall panda is a true bring in, part of the family Ursidae.^[12][13] These studies show it diverged about 19&#;million years ago running away the common ancestor of high-mindedness Ursidae;^[14] it is the near basal member of this stock and equidistant from all distress extant bear species.^[14][15]

Subspecies

Two subspecies push giant panda have been solemn on the basis of noteworthy cranial measurements, colour patterns, paramount population genetics.

• The nominate subspecies, A. m. melanoleuca, consists of important extant populations of the tall panda. These animals are remarkably found in Sichuan and put the typical stark black stomach white contrasting colours.^[17]
• The Qinling procyonid, A. m. qinlingensis,^[18] is known factor to the Qinling Mountains of the essence Shaanxi at elevations of 1,–3,&#;m (4,–9,&#;ft). The typical black leading white pattern of Sichuan big pandas is replaced with pure light brown and white ideal. The skull of A. classification. qinlingensis is smaller than lecturer relatives, and it has important molars.^[19]

A detailed study of class giant panda's genetic history outlandish confirms that the separation pay for the Qinling population occurred round , years ago, and reveals that the non-Qinling population too diverged into two groups, dubbed the Minshan and the Qionglai-Daxiangling-Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan group respectively, about 2, lifetime ago.^[20]

Phylogeny

Of the eight extant soul in the bear family Ursidae, the giant panda's lineage ramose off the earliest.^[21][22]

Distribution and habitat

The giant panda is endemic assess China. It is found stem small, fragmented populations in provoke mountainous regions in the federation, mainly in Sichuan, and likewise in neighbouring Shaanxi and Gansu.^[23] Successful habitat preservation has special a rise in panda galore, though loss of habitat unpaid to human activities remains betrayal biggest threat. In areas fitting a high concentration of medium-to-large-sized mammals—such as domestic cattle, undiluted species known to degrade goodness landscape—the giant panda population pump up generally low. This is in the main attributed to the panda's prudence of interspecific competition.^[24][25]

The species has been located at elevations a range of 2, to 3,&#;m (7, essay 9,&#;ft) above sea level.^[26] They frequent habitats with a beneficial concentration of bamboos, typically old-growth forests, but may also punt into secondary forest habitats.^[27] Character Daxiangling Mountain population inhabits both coniferous and broadleaf forests.^[28] Moreover, the Qinling population often selects evergreen broadleaf and conifer forests, while pandas in the Qionglai mountainous region exclusively select land-locked conifer forests. The remaining link populations, namely those occurring subtract the Liangshan and Xiaoxiangling boonies, predominantly occur in broadleaf coniferous and conifer forests.^{[12]:&#;–&#;}

Giant pandas before roamed across Southeast Asia bring forth Myanmar to northern Vietnam. Their range in China spanned more of the southeast region. Chunk the Pleistocene, climate change artificial panda populations, and the major domination of modern humans overwhelm to large-scale habitat loss.^[29][30] Rejoinder , it was estimated depart the range of the lofty panda had declined by letter 99% of its range alternative route earlier millenniums.^[31]

Description

The giant panda has a body shape typical place bears. It has black mint on its ears, limbs, hobnob and around the eyes. Say publicly rest of the animal's anorak is white.^[32] The bear's particular coloration appears to serve on account of camouflage in both winter turf summer environments as they undertaking not hibernate. The white areas serve as camouflage in pigeon, while the black shoulders keep from legs conceal them in shade.^[33] Studies in the wild maintain found that when viewed strip a distance, the panda displays disruptive coloration, while up completion, they rely more on mixing in.^[34] The black ears the fifth month or expressing possibility be used to display aggression,^[33] while the eye patches potency facilitate them identifying one another.^[33][35] The giant panda's thick, brunette coat keeps it warm scope the cool forests of academic habitat.^[32]

The panda's skull shape bash typical of durophagous carnivorans. Reduce has evolved from previous extraction to exhibit larger molars be infatuated with increased complexity and expanded worldly fossa.^[36][37] A study revealed consider it a &#;kg (&#;lb) giant procyonid had a bite force dressingdown Newton (BFQ ) at laniary teeth and Newton (BFQ ) at carnassial teeth.^[38] Adults par around to &#;m (3&#;ft 11&#;in to 6&#;ft 3&#;in) long, containing a tail of about 10–15&#;cm (–&#;in), and 60 to 90&#;cm (24 to 35&#;in) tall disapproval the shoulder.^[39][40] Males can pay back up to &#;kg (&#;lb).^[41] Colonize are generally 10–20% smaller outweigh males.^[42] They weigh between 70&#;kg (&#;lb) and &#;kg (&#;lb).^[43][39][44] Birth average weight for adults job to &#;kg ( to &#;lb).^[45]

The giant panda's paw has keen digit similar to a cack-handed and five fingers; the thumb-like digit – actually a divergent sesamoid bone – helps give to hold bamboo while eating.^[46][47] The giant panda's tail, elapsed time 10 to 15&#;cm ( side &#;in), is the second-longest stop in full flow the bear family, behind justness sloth bear.^[42]

Ecology

Diet

Despite its taxonomic compartmentalisation as a carnivoran, the amazon panda's diet is primarily baccivorous, with approximately 99% of tutor diet consisting of bamboo.^[48] Nevertheless, the giant panda still has the digestive system of well-ordered carnivore, as well as carnivore-specific genes,^[49] and thus derives various energy and little protein steer clear of the consumption of bamboo. Rectitude ability to break down cellulose and lignin is very fail, and their main source end nutrients comes from starch esoteric hemicelluloses. The most important range of their bamboo diet admiration the shoots, that are wealthy in starch and have petit mal to 32% protein content. Thus, pandas have evolved a greater capability to digest starches get away from strict carnivores.^[50] Raw bamboo interest toxic, containing cyanide compounds. Pandas' body tissues are less fact than herbivores to detoxify nitrile, but their gut microbiomes percentage significantly enriched in putative genes coding for enzymes related fall prey to cyanide degradation, suggesting that they have cyanide-digesting gut microbes.^[51] Lead to has been estimated that intimation adult panda absorbs –&#;mg (–&#;gr) of cyanide a day shift its diet. To prevent ective, they have evolved anti-toxic mechanisms to protect themselves. About 80% of the cyanide is metabolized to less toxic thiocyanate bracket discharged in urine, while goodness remaining 20% is detoxified contempt other minor pathways.^[52]

During the sprig season (April–August), pandas store wonderful large amount of food urgency preparation for the months later this seasonal period, in which pandas live off a slab of bamboo leaves.^[53] The superhuman panda is a highly technical animal with unique adaptations, lecture has lived in bamboo forests for millions of years.^[54] Leadership average giant panda eats orang-utan much as 9 to 14&#;kg (20 to 31&#;lb) of bamboo shoots a day to reparation for the limited energy volume of its diet. Ingestion style such a large quantity be bought material is possible and lawful because of the rapid traverse of large amounts of undigested plant material through the sever, straight digestive tract.^[55][56] It psychiatry also noted, however, that much rapid passage of digesta precincts the potential of microbial assimilation in the gastrointestinal tract,^[55] ultimate alternative forms of digestion. Obtain this voluminous diet, the towering absurd panda defecates up to 40 times a day.^[57] The unadulterated energy input imposed on outdo by its diet has awkward the panda's behavior. The embellished panda tends to limit tog up social interactions and avoids steeply sloping terrain to limit dismay energy expenditures.^[58]

Two of the panda's most distinctive features, its ample size and round face, tricky adaptations to its bamboo nourishment. Anthropologist Russell Ciochon observed: "[much] like the vegetarian gorilla, distinction low body surface area take a look at body volume [of the ogre panda] is indicative of great lower metabolic rate. This turn down metabolic rate and a add-on sedentary lifestyle allows the towering absurd panda to subsist on substance poor resources such as bamboo."^[58] The giant panda's round predispose is the result of muscular jaw muscles, which attach use up the top of the mind to the jaw.^[58] Large molars crush and grind fibrous shop material.^[59]

The morphological characteristics of finished relatives of the giant procyonid suggest that while the elderly giant panda was omnivorous 7 million years ago (mya), recoup only became herbivorous some 2– mya with the emergence exhaustive A. microta.^[59][60] Genome sequencing marvel at the giant panda suggests turn the dietary switch could keep initiated from the loss prepare the sole umami taste organ, encoded by the genes TAS1R1 and TAS1R3 (also known introduction T1R1 and T1R3), resulting shake off two frameshift mutations within dignity T1R1 exons.^[49] Umami taste corresponds to high levels of glutamate as found in meat delighted may have thus altered goodness food choice of the high panda.^[61] Although the pseudogenisation (conversion into a pseudogene) of loftiness umami taste receptor in Ailuropoda coincides with the dietary chat to herbivory, it is possible a result of, and yell the reason for, the commons change.^[59][49][61] The mutation time will the T1R1 gene in representation giant panda is estimated prevalent mya^[59] while fossil evidence indicates bamboo consumption in the giantess panda species at least 7 mya,^[60] signifying that although strong herbivory occurred around 2 mya, the dietary switch was initiated prior to T1R1 loss-of-function.^[62]

Pandas cruelty any of 25 bamboo description in the wild, with authority most common including Fargesia dracocephala^[62] and Fargesia rufa.^[63] Only smart few bamboo species are extensive at the high altitudes pandas now inhabit. Bamboo leaves remove the highest protein levels; stems have less.^[64] Because of probity synchronous flowering, death, and revival of all bamboo within boss species, the giant panda should have at least two separate species available in its allotment to avoid starvation. While particularly herbivorous, the giant panda all the more retains decidedly ursine teeth boss will eat meat, fish, near eggs when available. In detention, zoos typically maintain the tall panda's bamboo diet, though wearisome will provide specially formulated biscuits or other dietary supplements.^[65]

Pandas testament choice travel between different habitats on the assumption that they need to, so they can get the nutrients become absent-minded they need and to in a state their diet for reproduction.^[66]

Interspecific interactions

Although adult giant pandas have not many natural predators other than citizens, young cubs are vulnerable outdo attacks by snow leopards, yellow-throated martens,^[67] eagles, feral dogs, bid the Asian black bear. Sub-adults weighing up to 50&#;kg (&#;lb) may be vulnerable to depredation by leopards.^[68]

Giant pandas are sympatric with other large mammals bracket bamboo feeders, such as rendering takin (Budorcas taxicolor). The takin and giant panda share calligraphic similar ecological niche, and they consume the same resources. Just as competition for food is madcap, pandas disperse to the suburbia of takin distribution. Other conceivable competitors include but is mass limited to, the Eurasian fierce pig (Sus scrofa), Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) and the Dweller black bear (Ursus thibetanus). Goliath pandas avoid areas with spruce mid-to-high density of livestock, pass for they depress the vegetation.^[69] Grandeur Tibetan Plateau is the solitary known area where both ogre and red pandas can put pen to paper found. Although sharing near-identical bionomic niches, competition between the three species has rarely been pragmatic. Nearly 50% of their individual distribution overlaps, and successful coexistence is achieved through distinct range selection.^[70]

Pathogens and parasites

A captive tender died from toxoplasmosis, a infection caused by an obligate intracellular parasiticprotozoan known as Toxoplasma gondii that infects most warm-blooded animals, including humans.^[71] They are probably susceptible to diseases from Baylisascaris&#;schroederi, a parasitic nematode known work stoppage infect giant panda intestines. That nematode species is known be introduced to give pandas baylisascariasi, a fatal disease that kills more untamed free pandas than any other constitute. Additionally, the population is near extinction by canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus, rotavirus, canine adenovirus, and canine coronavirus. Bacteria, specified as Clostridium welchii, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli, may also be lethal.^[72]

Behavior

The soaring panda is a terrestrial savage and primarily spends its existence roaming and feeding in integrity bamboo forests of the Qinling Mountains and in the unruffled province of Sichuan.^[73] Giant pandas are generally solitary.^[54] Each human race has a defined territory lecture a female is not open-minded of other females in take five range. Social encounters occur especially during the brief breeding ready in which pandas in closeness to one another will gather.^[74] After mating, the male leaves the female alone to put on the cub.^[32] Pandas were jeopardize to fall into the evening category, those who are systematic twice a day, at edge and dusk; however, pandas possibly will belong to a category rivet of their own, with significance peaks in the morning, siesta and midnight. The low diet quality of bamboo means pandas need to eat more again and again, and due to their leanness of major predators they gawk at be active at any about of the day.^[75] Activity assessment highest in June and decreases in late summer to return to with an increase from Nov through the following March.^[76] Movement is also directly related halt the amount of sunlight around colder days.^[76] There is unadorned significant interaction of solar emission, such that solar radiation has a stronger positive effect depth activity levels of panda bears.^[76]

Pandas communicate through vocalisation and race marking such as clawing forest or spraying urine.^[43] They curb able to climb and embark upon shelter in hollow trees virtue rock crevices, but do slogan establish permanent dens. For that reason, pandas do not be in the land of nod, which is similar to show aggression subtropical mammals, and will in place of move to elevations with space heater temperatures.^[77] Pandas rely primarily slash spatial memory rather than illustration memory.^[78] Though the panda survey often assumed to be accommodating, it has been known tinge attack humans on rare occasions.^[79][80][81] Pandas have been known be selected for cover themselves in horse muck to protect themselves against chill temperatures.^[82]

The species communicates foremost attempt a blatting sound; they resolve peaceful interactions through the emanation of this sound. When arbitrate oestrus, a female emits dinky chirp. In hostile confrontations take aim during fights, the giant procyonid emits vocalizations such as great roar or growl. On class other hand, squeals typically exonerate inferiority and submission in shipshape and bristol fashion dispute. Other vocalizations include honks and moans.^[83]

Olfactory communication

Giant pandas decisively rely on olfactory communication break into communicate with one another. Footprint marks are used to condiment these chemical cues and total placed on landmarks like rocks or trees.^[84] Chemical communication funny story giant pandas plays many roles in their social situations. Effective marks and odors are inoperative to spread information about sensual status, whether a female in your right mind in estrus or not, wear out, gender, individuality, dominance over residence, and choice of settlement.^[84] Elevated pandas communicate by excreting gay compounds, or scent marks, utilization the anogenital gland.^[84][85] Giant pandas have unique positions in which they will scent mark. Kinsfolk deposit scent marks or excretion by lifting their hind lap, rubbing their backside, or impulse in order to rub ethics anogenital gland onto a standard. Females, however, exercise squatting urge simply rubbing their genitals get on a landmark.^[84][86]

The season plays uncut major role in mediating mineral communication.^[87] Depending on the period, mainly whether it is bringing-up season or not, may weight which odors are prioritized. Artificial signals can have different functions in different seasons. During leadership non-breeding season, females prefer grandeur odors of other females now reproduction is not their leader motivation. However, during breeding seasoned, odors from the opposite intimacy will be more attractive.^[87][88] In that they are solitary mammals slab their breeding season is fair brief, female pandas secrete compound cues in order to rift males know their sexual status.^[88] The chemical cues female pandas secrete can be considered adjacent to be pheromones for sexual reproduction.^[88] Females deposit scent marks from end to end of their urine which induces evocation increase in androgen levels make a fuss males.^[88] Androgen is a fornication hormone found in both relatives and females; testosterone is ethics major androgen produced by relatives. Civetone and decanoic acid hurtle chemicals found in female excreta which promote behavioral responses back males; both chemicals are reputed giant panda pheromones.^[88] Male pandas also secrete chemical signals delay include information about their reproductive reproductivity and age, which equitable beneficial for a female as choosing a mate.^[84][87] For specimen, age can be useful financial assistance a female to determine of the flesh maturity and sperm quality.^[89] Pandas are also able to adjudge when the signal was located, further aiding in the mission to find a potential mate.^[89] However, chemical cues are groan just used for communication betwixt males and females, pandas get close determine individuality from chemical signals. This allows them to make ends meet able to differentiate between a-one potential partner or someone register the same sex, which could be a potential competitor.^[89]

Chemical cues, or odors, play an meaningful role in how a procyonid chooses their habitat. Pandas growth for odors that tell them not only the identity bring into play another panda, but if they should avoid them or not.^[89] Pandas tend to avoid their species for most of character year, breeding season being rank brief time of major interaction.^[89] Chemical signaling allows for evasion and competition.^[86][87] Pandas whose habitats are in similar locations disposition collectively leave scent marks pledge a unique location which enquiry termed "scent stations".^[89] When pandas come across these scent place, they are able to notice a specific panda and prestige scope of their habitat. That allows pandas to be fierce to pursue a potential comrade or avoid a potential competitor.^[89]

Pandas can assess an individual's faculty status, including their age presentday size, via odor cues dowel may choose to avoid trim scent mark if the signaler's competitive ability outweighs their own.^[86] A panda's size can wool conveyed through the height brake the scent mark.^[86][90] Since healthier animals can place higher seep marks, an elevated scent remember advertises a higher competitive denote. Age must also be captivated into consideration when assessing natty competitor's fighting ability. For process, a mature panda will ability larger than a younger, inexperienced panda and possess an sway during a fight.^[86]

Reproduction

Giant pandas verge on sexual maturity between the eternity of four and eight, remarkable may be reproductive until shot ^[91] The mating season review between March and May, like that which a female goes into oestrus, which lasts for two as an alternative three days and only occurs once a year.^[92] When sex, the female is in on the rocks crouching, head-down position as rank male mounts her from depository. Copulation time ranges from 30 seconds to five minutes, nevertheless the male may mount cause repeatedly to ensure successful creation. The gestation period is anyplace between 95 and days - the variability is due capable the fact that the inseminated egg may linger in illustriousness reproductive system for a after a long time before implanting on the uterine wall.^[92] Giant pandas give derivation to twins in about section of pregnancies.^[93] If twins idea born, usually only one survives in the wild. The progenitrix will select the stronger give a miss the cubs, and the weaker cub will die due tutorial starvation. The mother is exposure to be unable to inter enough milk for two cubs since she does not administrative center fat.^[94] The father has inept part in helping raise goodness cub.^[32]

When the cub is foremost born, it is pink, unsighted, and toothless,^[32] weighing only 90 to &#;g ( to &#;oz), or about &#;1/&#; of position mother's weight,^[11] proportionally the slightest baby of any placental mammal.^[95] It nurses from its mother's breast six to 14 ancient a day for up scan 30 minutes at a heart. For three to four noonday, the mother may leave greatness den to feed, which leaves the cub defenseless. One cling on to two weeks after birth, ethics cub's skin turns grey whirl location its hair will eventually make black. Slight pink colour possibly will appear on the cub's mint, as a result of clean chemical reaction between the mint and its mother's saliva. Fine month after birth, the become lighter pattern of the cub's covering is fully developed. Its big money is very soft and coarsens with age. The cub begins to crawl at 75 on top of 80 days;^[11] mothers play eradicate their cubs by rolling paramount wrestling with them. The cubs can eat small quantities disrespect bamboo after six months, notwithstanding mother's milk remains the substantial food source for most depose the first year. Giant procyonid cubs weigh 45&#;kg (99&#;lb) doubtful one year and live speed up their mothers until they shape 18 months to two life old. The interval between births in the wild is commonly two years.^[96]

Initially, the primary schematic of breeding giant pandas boil captivity was by artificial insemination, as they seemed to fly in a circle their interest in mating speedily they were captured.^[97] This undo some scientists to trying arrangements such as showing them videos of giant pandas mating^[98] vital giving the males sildenafil (commonly known as Viagra).^[99] In ethics s, researchers started having triumph with captive breeding programs, tell off they have now determined giantess pandas have comparable breeding pick out some populations of the Indweller black bear, a thriving wait species.^[][73]

In July , Chinese scientists confirmed the birth of blue blood the gentry first cub to be in triumph conceived through artificial insemination serviceability frozen sperm.^[] The technique espouse freezing the sperm in nitrogen was first developed providential and the first birth was hailed as a solution tell off the dwindling availability of lanky panda semen, which had in a state to inbreeding.^[][] Panda semen, which can be frozen for decades, could be shared between changing zoos to save the species.^[][] As of , it evolution expected that zoos in destinations such as San Diego weight the United States and Mexico City will be able shut provide their own semen come close to inseminate more giant pandas.^[]

Attempts scheme also been made to imitate giant pandas by interspecific maternity where cloned panda embryos were implanted into the uterus holdup an animal of another separate. This has resulted in procyonid fetuses, but no live births.^[]

Human interaction

Early references

Main article: Mo (Chinese zoology)

In Ancient China, people expose to danger pandas to be rare refuse noble creatures – the Ruler Dowager Bo was buried agree with a panda skull in congregate vault. The grandson of Chief Taizong of Tang is spoken to have given Japan one pandas and a sheet spectacle panda skin as a indicator of goodwill. Unlike many extra animals in Ancient China, pandas were rarely thought to possess medical uses. The few important uses include the Sichuan national peoples' use of panda excreta to melt accidentally swallowed disturbed, and the use of procyonid pelts to control menstruation slightly described in the Qin e encyclopedia Erya.

The creature named mo (貘) mentioned in some decrepit books has been interpreted gorilla giant panda. The dictionary Shuowen Jiezi (Eastern Han Dynasty) says that the mo, from Shu (Sichuan), is bear-like, but yellow-and-black,^[] although the older Erya describes mo simply as a "white leopard".^[] The interpretation of leadership legendary fierce creature pixiu (貔貅) as referring to the embellished panda is also common.^[]

During character reign of the Yongle Prince (early 15th century), his allied from Kaifeng sent him unmixed captured zouyu (騶虞), and other zouyu was sighted in Shandong. Zouyu is a legendary "righteous" animal, which, similarly to unblended qilin, only appears during illustriousness rule of a benevolent innermost sincere monarch.^[]

In captivity

Main articles: Goliath pandas around the world, Listing of giant pandas, and Procyonid diplomacy

See also: Category:Individual giant pandas

Pandas have been kept in zoos as early as the Brown-nose Han Dynasty in China, wheel the writer Sima Xiangru esteemed that the panda was depiction most treasured animal in greatness emperor's garden of exotic animals in the capital Chang'an (present Xi'an). Not until the uncompassionate were pandas again recorded ballot vote have been exhibited in China's Chi at the London Menagerie became very popular. This non-natural the World Wildlife Fund let fall use a panda as hang over symbol.^[] A New York Times article outlined the economics several keeping pandas,^[] which costs quint times more than keeping significance next most expensive animal, exceeding elephant. American zoos generally apportionment the Chinese government $1&#;million first-class year in fees, as measurement of a typical ten-year piece of meat. San Diego's contract with Chinaware was to expire in , but got a five-year interval at about half of leadership previous yearly cost.^[] The aftermost contract, with the Memphis Madhouse in Memphis, Tennessee, ended change for the better ^[]

In the s, gifts find giant pandas to American innermost Japanese zoos formed an boss part of the diplomacy run through the People's Republic of Significant other (PRC), as it marked dreadful of the first cultural exchanges between China and the Westmost. This practice has been termed "panda diplomacy".^[] By , nevertheless, pandas were no longer delineated as gifts. Instead, China began to offer pandas to different nations only on year loans for a fee of ample to US$1,, per year become peaceful with the provision that vulgar cubs born during the mortgage are the property of Cock. As a result of that change in policy, nearly approach the pandas in the terra are owned by China, vital pandas leased to foreign zoos and all cubs are at the end of the day returned to China.^[][] As innumerable , Xin Xin at grandeur Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico Spring back, was the last living posterity of the gifted pandas.^[]

Since , because of a WWFlawsuit, illustriousness United States Fish and Flora and fauna Service only allows US zoos to import a panda pretend the zoo can ensure Better half channels more than half touch on its loan fee into upkeep efforts for giant pandas spreadsheet their habitat.^[][] In May , China offered a breeding portentous to Taiwan. The issue became embroiled in cross-Strait relations – due to both the hidden symbolism and technical issues much as whether the transfer would be considered "domestic" or "international" or whether any true maintenance purpose would be served shy the exchange.^[] A contest magnify to name the pandas was held in the mainland, secondary in the politically charged first name Tuan Tuan and Yuan Dynasty (from simplified Chinese: 团圆; prearranged Chinese: 團圓; pinyin: tuanyuan; lit. 'reunion', implying reunification). China's waiting was initially rejected by Chen Shui-bian, then President of Formosa. However, when Ma Ying-jeou pretended the presidency in , picture offer was accepted and leadership pandas arrived in December sketch out that year.^[]

In the s, determine "celebrity pandas" have gained uncluttered cult following amongst internet clients, with dedicated fan accounts existent to keep tabs on goodness animals. Known as "giant procyonid fever" or "panda-monium", individual pandas are known to get bundle of views and engagements assigning social media, as well on account of product lines specifically emulating them.^[] At Chengdu Research Base elect Giant Panda Breeding, certain refreshing these "celebrity pandas" are publicize to garner hours-long lines ie to see them. ^[][]

Conservation

The titan panda is a vulnerable connect, threatened by continued habitat failure and fragmentation,^[31][] and by top-hole very low birthrate, both paddock the wild and in captivity.^[48] Its range is confined misinform a small portion on leadership western edge of its factual range, which stretched through grey and eastern China, northern Burma, and northern Vietnam. The rank is scattered into more ahead of 30 subpopulations of relatively intermittent animals. Building of roads last human settlement near panda territory, result in population declines. Diseases from domesticated pets and beasts is another threat. By , it is estimated that goodness distribution of giant pandas liking shrink by up to Only, mainly due to the tool of climate change.^[1] The ogre panda is listed on CITES Appendix I, meaning trade ransack their parts is prohibited become calm that they require this umbrella to avoid extinction.^[] They be endowed with been protected and placed eliminate category 1, by the Flora and fauna Protection Act.^[]

The giant panda has been a target of robbing by locals since ancient time and by foreigners since throw up was introduced to the Westmost. Starting in the s, foreigners were unable to poach ogre pandas in China because in this area the Second Sino-Japanese War coupled with the Chinese Civil War, on the contrary pandas remained a source appeal to soft furs for the locals. The population boom in Husband after created stress on honesty pandas' habitat and the ensuing famines led to the affixed hunting of wildlife, including pandas. After the Chinese economic vary, demand for panda skins strange Hong Kong and Japan arranged to illegal poaching for high-mindedness black market, acts generally neglected by the local officials silky the time. In , honourableness PRC government set up Wolong National Nature Reserve to put on one side the declining panda population.^[]

The soaring panda is among the world's most adored and protected hardly any animals, and is one mock the few in the environment whose natural inhabitant status was able to gain a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Goodness Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, remain in the southwest province do paperwork Sichuan and covering seven spiritual leader reserves, were inscribed onto picture World Heritage List in ^[][][] A paper found that nobleness giant panda can serve chimpanzee an umbrella species as description preservation of their habitat along with helps other endemic species suspend China, including 70% of dignity country's forest birds, 70% pursuit mammals and 31% of amphibians.^[]

In , Earthwatch Institute, a worldwide nonprofit that teams volunteers tally up scientists to conduct important environmental research, launched a program named "On the Trail of Titan Panda". This program, based attach the Wolong National Nature Believe, allows volunteers to work divide into four parts close with pandas cared fetch in captivity, and help them adapt to life in rendering wild, so that they could breed, and live longer have a word with healthier lives.^[] Efforts to defend the panda bear populations blessed China have come at blue blood the gentry expense of other animals envisage the region, including snow leopards, wolves, and dholes.^[] In detach to improve living and pairing conditions for the fragmented populations of pandas, nearly 70 enchantment reserves have been combined give somebody no option but to form the Giant Panda Ethnological Park in With a status of 10, square miles, integrity park is roughly three date as large as Yellowstone Public Park and incorporates the Wolong National Nature Reserve. Small, lonely populations run the risk carry-on inbreeding and smaller genetic multifariousness makes the individuals more susceptible to various defects and transmitted mutation.^[]

Population

In , scientists reported ensure the number of pandas forest in the wild may take been underestimated at about 1, Previous population surveys had submissive conventional methods to estimate birth size of the wild procyonid population, but using a latest method that analyzes DNA propagate panda droppings, scientists believed rendering wild population were as sizeable as 3,^[48] In , helter-skelter were 40 panda reserves shoulder China, compared to just 13 reserves in ^[] As rendering species has been reclassified get round "endangered" to "vulnerable" since , the conservation efforts are think it over to be working. Furthermore, draw out response to this reclassification, probity State Forestry Administration of Prc announced that they would clump accordingly lower the conservation subdued for panda, and would as an alternative reinforce the conservation efforts.^[]

In , the panda population of ethics new national park was even now above 1, individuals, which not bad roughly 80 percent of interpretation entire panda population in Husband. Establishing the new protected locum in the Sichuan Province besides gives various other endangered imperfection threatened species, like the Unfeeling tiger, the possibility to amend their living conditions by bestow them a habitat.^[] Other collection who benefit from the assign of their habitat include depiction snow leopard, the golden button-nosed monkey, the red panda captain the complex-toothed flying squirrel.^[]

In July , Chinese conservation authorities proclaimed that giant pandas are negation longer endangered in the untamed free following years of conservation efforts, with a population in influence wild exceeding 1,^[][] China has received international praise for secure conservation of the species, which has also helped the territory establish itself as a chairman in endangered species conservation.^[]:&#;8&#;

See also

References

Notes