One Giant Step Back for Pandas

Back in May we wrote about Xiang Xiang, ..."a 4 year old that "became the first panda born in a laboratory from an artificially inseminated mother, raised in captivity in China and released into nature to fend for himself."

At the time, a scientist said, ""has mastered the ability to adapt to living in a wild environment...can live without being taken care of... has become sensitive and alert to human beings.... He wants to have his own territory, and he has acquired a sense of self-defense."

Unfortunately, that's not very true.

The only captive-bred giant panda to be released into the wild has gone missing after being badly beaten by a rival for territory, food or a mate.

In a major setback for China's efforts to replenish the endangered species with animals reared in zoos, Xiang Xiang has broken at least one bone and could be in danger, a leading Chinese zoologist said.

"Xiang Xiang has been badly hurt in a competition with other pandas," said Zhang Hemin, the director of the Research and Conservation Centre for the Giant Panda. "We think he fell from a high place after being chased up a tree by a wild panda."

Comments

[Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Tai Shan]

Poor Xiang Xiang, our family always remember you. You are very brave and hope you peace in heaven.

[Simon]

Some sad news from Wolong about Xiang Xiang

Xiang Xiang's body was found in late Feb. He had been treated for his earlier injuries which the above entry talks about over Christmas and quickly re-released, however it appears he was unable to defend himself in another fight with wild pandas. :(

The scientists at Wolong say this isn’t the end of their hopes to release panda’s bread in captivity and they hope to release a female next time who will be less likely to upset wild males by straying into their terrority.

Source : http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=855422007

[Caren]

I was at the National Zoo in April & talked with a group that was giving out information on panda conservation. They said that the Chinese would not officially admit it, but Xiang Xiang had been killed in the wild. This is heart-breaking news! The chinese need to preserve & enlarge the panda habitat in the wild. They need to create corridors so the pandas can have a fresh bamboo supply & mate.

[autumn]

Does anybody know if Xiang Xiang was ever found . . . what happened to him after his injury & disappearance?

[Jean]

I have to agree with both of you, it would be heartbreaking to see the health of the panda's created by the various programs at Wolong and here in the US released into the wild only to be killed as they cannot compete with "wild" pandas.

[Diane]

I think everyone needs to take a long look at this situation. We all love our favorite baby panda, but this is reality. I'm not sure release into the wild is an option, at least without many years of research and planning. Our pandas bring in $$$ for research and certainly public awareness of the issues. Perhaps that is what they do best and should continue to do best. Then the natural habitat conservation people will have the money to do what they do best to increase the 'wild' population. I'm no expert, but I really don't want to see someone throwing Tai Shan to the wild pandas any time soon. Not ready and not appropriate. Thanks for keeping us informed.

[angela]

Thanks for this news. I had read about his release and tracking him, but this is the first time I've heard about his injury.