Analysis of an Integrated Approach for Panda Conservation

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Analysis of an Integrated Approach for Panda
Conservation

• By Syrena Johnson
• Penn State University

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Research Objectives

• Analyze past and present approaches for panda
  conservation
• Get an idea of various peoples attitude towards
  pandas and panda conservation
• Suggest new approaches and improvements for panda
  conservation in the future

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Current Panda Status

• According to third national survey, there are
  1,600 pandas thought to exist in the wild
• Nearly 45 more than previously thought to exist
  after surveys in 1974 and 1985
• Still endangered (IUCN- The world conservation
  union)
• Greatest threats to pandas long-term survival is
  due to human activity

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Major Threats to the Panda

• Poaching and Illegal Trade
• Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
• Grazing and Herb Collection
• Bamboo Harvesting
• Road Building
• Large Scale Development Activities
• Tourism
• Mining

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The Severity of Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

• Panda range used to be widespread in southern and
  eastern China and in neighboring Myanmar and
  North Vietnam
• Currently only found in three provinces in
  Southwestern China Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi
• Sichuan 17,743.92 km2
• Shaanxi 3,478.64 km2
• Gansu 1,827.35 km2

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Integrated Approach for Panda Conservation

• Nature Forest Protection Program (NFPP)
• Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP)
• Panda and Nature Reserves
• Captive Breeding Institutions
• Public Support

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First Monumental Steps of Panda Conservation

• Implementation of the Nature Forest Protection
  Program and Sloping Land Conversion Program
• Initially put into place to improve and restore
  the ecological condition of Western China
• Was a crucial move in favor of the panda as well
• Over half of the pandas habitat had been cut
  down from 1980 to 1998

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NFPP and SLCP

• NFPP
• Chinas first countrywide policy designed to
  protect forests and develop forest plantations
  for timber supply
• Classifies forests into forests for ecological
  function or forests for economic function
• Implemented in 18 provinces and independent
  regions

• SLCP
• Considered to be Chinas most ambitious
  environmental and conservation efforts
• Aimed to increase forest coverage by retiring
  steeply sloping land from agricultural production
  
• In 2003, was practiced in 25 provinces and
  municipalities

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Integrated Approach for Panda Conservation

• Nature Forest Protection Program (NFPP)
• Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP)
• Panda and Nature Reserves
• Captive Breeding Institutions
• Public Support

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Panda and Nature Reserves

• Close to 40 reserves Mostly in Sichuan
• Beishuijiang Reserve in Gansu is the largest
  (213, 750 hectares)
• Over 60 (986) of pandas under protection in
  reserves
• About 45 (10,400 km2) of panda habitat is under
  protection

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Integrated Approach for Panda Conservation

• Nature Forest Protection Program (NFPP)
• Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP)
• Panda and Nature Reserves
• Captive Breeding Institutions
• Public Support

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Captive Breeding Institutions

• Goals/Purposes
• Increase captive population to eventually release
  them into the wild
• Study and research panda behavior to better
  ensure pandas survival in the wild
• Educate the public and raise funds for panda
  conservation

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Captive Breeding Institutions Brief Facts

• 166 captive pandas by the end of 2003 currently
  188 pandas in captivity
• If the captive breeding population reaches 300,
  then it will be enough to sustain a wild
  population
• Wolong Panda Breeding Center is the largest
  (2,000 km2)

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Benefits of Captive Breeding Institutions

• Panda life span is increased by at least 10 years
  (25 in the captivity 15 in the wild)
• Food source is guaranteed and dont have to worry
  about bamboo flowering
• Reach sexual maturity sooner (5 years in
  captivity 10 years in the wild)
• Mates are already pre-selected avoid having to
  search for a mate like in the wild

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Captive Breeding Institution Concerns and
Difficulties

• Problems with inexperienced males not performing
  well
• Artificial insemination
• Problems with first time mothers not caring for
  newborn(s)
• Having to have human act like panda mother
• Neglecting one of newborns if twins are born
• Getting pandas to survive past the age of one
• Genetic variation and Inbreeding

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Captive Breeding Institution Funding

• Breeding research funds supported by
• Money from the government and State Forestry
  Administration
• Research Grants
• Donations
• Souvenir and admission fee revenue
• Adoptions of pandas

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Integrated Approach for Panda Conservation

• Nature Forest Protection Program (NFPP)
• Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP)
• Panda and Nature Reserves
• Captive Breeding Institutions
• Public Support

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Importance of Public Support

• Reassurance that conservation efforts are vital
• More-likely to get donations and financial
  support to fund research projects
• Extra sense of pride in work and accomplishments

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Public Support
I support you all the way!!!

• Ways to gain it
• Inform the public about conservation efforts
• Get the community involved in activities that
  will raise awareness
• Allow everyone to voice opinions or make
  suggestions
• Mend any critical sacrifices being made as a
  result of conservation efforts

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How I Determined Peoples Attitude Based on
Lifestyle

• Visit rural households in Sichuan Province
• Affected by SLCP
• Not well informed about panda conservation
  efforts
• Interview international visitors at breeding
  center
• All over the age of 50
• Interview local visitors at breeding center
• Ranged from 19 to 43 years old

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Summarization of Attitudes Towards Panda
Conservation

• Rural Residents
• Were either supportive of panda and wildlife
  conservation efforts or were not very interested
  in it
• Had either personally seen a panda in the wild or
  knew of someone that had
• Noticed an increase in the wildlife population,
  either via sightings or sounds
• Nobody had visited the breeding centers because
  they were kept busy with work
• Overall, were supportive as long as crops werent
  destroyed and economic livelihood wasnt
  compromised

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Observations

• International Visitors
• First time to breeding center and China
• First time actually seeing a panda
• Think pandas are adorable and amazing
• All were from the United States and Canada
• Came because it was part of an organized tour
• Werent well informed about panda conservation
  efforts think that pandas existence is due to
  needed human interference
• Would consider adopting panda to support
  conservation efforts

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Summarization of Attitudes Towards Panda
Conservation

• Local (first time) Visitors
• Content with panda enclosures and didnt have
  much to say
• Werent well informed about panda conservation
  efforts
• Came because it was something to do or because
  it was recommended

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Response from First-Time Local Visitor

• Question What do you think about the breeding
  center and the panda enclosures?
• Answer It is like a park or zoo where you can
  see pandas. It has a house, food, water, and
  friends...its great for the pandas!

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Summarization of Attitudes Towards Panda
Conservation

• Local (frequent) Visitors
• More critical or thoughtful regarding pandas
  enclosure and situation
• Were informed about panda conservation efforts
• Came because they love the panda and is a great
  family spot

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Response From a Frequent Local Visitor

• Question Do you think that the panda enclosures
  are large enough?
• Answer You cant say how much space is
  adequate for a panda in captivity a panda in the
  wild and a panda in captivitytwo different
  situations

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Response From a Frequent Local Visitor

• Question Do you mind that people can have their
  photo taken with a panda for 400 Yuan or adopt a
  panda for 50,000 Yuan? Do you think thats too
  much?
• Answer No. Theres a market demand for this
  sort of thing. It is up to tourists to decide if
  it is worth paying 400 Yuan. I must admit I have
  been tempted myself to take a photo with the
  panda. I cant afford to pay 50,000 Yuan to adopt
  a panda, but it is not realistic to make the
  price really low, like 1,000 Yuan. More people
  would adopt pandas, and there are only so many
  pandas available. This is a good way to earn an
  extra source of money, other than the government.

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Response From a Frequent Local Visitor

• Question Do you think enough is being done for
  panda conservation? What do you think about
  being able to have your photo taken with panda
  cubs for 400 Yuan?
• Answer No. I dont think enough is being done
  for pandas. Public awareness is increasing, but
  no action is being taken. I think it sucks that
  the center can get money for letting people take
  pictures with the pandas because its too
  commercial and it exploits the pandas. The
  government should subsidize enough money to
  support the breeding efforts. The panda, being
  our national icon should be treated very well!

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Suggestions for Improved Panda Conservation

• Revise the SLCP and NFPP to incorporate panda
  conservation efforts
• Better prepares for future release of captive
  pandas into the wild
• Chance to review socioeconomic and ecological
  impacts
• Amend tactics to harmoniously satisfy economic
  and conservation needs

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Suggestions for Improved Panda Conservation

• Better protection and management of reserves
• Not only benefits the panda, but also other
  animals that share habitat with panda (red
  pandas, golden monkeys and pheasants)
• At least 200 plant species have become extinct in
  China since the 1950s
• More than 61 of wildlife species have suffered
  severe habitat losses
• China has more than 10 of the worlds vascular
  plant and terrestrial vertebrate species

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Suggestions for Improved Panda Conservation

• Captive Breeding Institutions
• Offer free tour guides so that it can be an
  educational experience, as much as an enjoyable
  one
• Offer student and senior-citizen discounts to
  encourage a younger crowd to visit centers
• Announce volunteer opportunities regularly to get
  the community and those interested involved
• Provide the public with an idea of what souvenier
  merchandise, admission fees, attraction fees, and
  other revenue go towards

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Suggestions for Improved Panda Conservation

• For the General Public
• Take initiative to learn about pandas and visit
  the breeding centers
• Do research to find out what is currently being
  done for panda conservation and how they can be
  involved
• Voice opinions, concerns and suggestions even if
  they think its not worth it or wont be
  acknowledged

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Acknowledgements

• HUGE thanks go to
• Dr. Yin for choosing and allowing me to have this
  amazing opportunity!
• Zaidae for being the most awesome interpreter and
  guide any of us could ask for ?
• Tina for guidance, translation, bargaining and
  support
• Tang Mi for translation and help with surveys
• National Science Foundation for even making this
  research possible
• Allison Bullock and Jake Baker for being awesome
  side-kicks