This months newsletter from Pandas International. Republished with permission.
One Year Later, Earthquake Damage Affects Pandas & Staff
Dear Friend of Pandas International,
A year ago we were mourning the loss of life and devastation in Western China at the Wolong Panda Center and Wolong Town. With your generosity, Pandas International quickly delivered over $ 50,000 in medical supplies, food, and shelter items to the people and the Pandas. Staff members and Pandas died, the Center and its equipment were severely damaged, and the bamboo forest was buried under mountainous landslides of rock and mud.
Mao Mao, known to her caretaker as a sweet and playful mother of three, was crushed when the wall of her enclosure collapsed, the result of pressure from a dam of rocks and debris in the river.
Of the 63 pandas at Wolong that fateful day, Mao Mao was lost forever, Xiao Xiao is still missing, and Zhu Hai died from illness following the earthquake. The rest were moved to safety at Bifengxia, other centers and zoos. The majority of Pandas and staff regrouped at the Bifengxia Center. Pandas International has continued to supply formula for the cubs, replaced damaged incubators and research equipment, and met all the usual yearly veterinary needs.
Now we are all looking forward to a new breeding center. Geological studies confirmed the danger of rebuilding at the Wolong Panda Center and a safer location has been selected 23 km away in Gengda Town.
The site is still within the Wolong Nature Reserve but will be divided into two sections. The area in Shengshuping will be for captive breeding. In Huangcaoping, the concentration will be on reintroduction training.
Following exploration of the habitat destruction throughout the Wolong Nature Reserve, it was determined that the Pandas’ food source of bamboo had also been critically damaged. Both wild and captive populations are facing declining bamboo availability and hunger.
Scientists and experienced Wolong farming families will begin growing, transplanting, and caring for thousands of bamboo seedlings throughout areas near Gengda Town. As the three species of bamboo mature and spread, both wild and captive Pandas will again have plentiful nourishment.
Mao Mao
Memorial Tee
To commemorate Mao Mao, who died in the earthquake of May 2008, we are offering a white tee of 100% cotton with the likeness of Mao Mao on the front and “pandasinternational.org
, in memory” screened on the back.
$25 Minimum Donation
In addition to providing formula for the cubs and medical equipment, Pandas International has been asked by Director Zhang Hemin of the China Conservation & Research Center for the Giant Panda to spearhead the fundraising for this three-year Bamboo Project. Our mutual trust, which has been built over the last 10 years, reinforces our working relationship to Save the Panda. This is both gratifying but definitely challenging.
It’s a difficult time to ask for donations but we hope you recognize Pandas International’s Bamboo Project will aid Pandas, the staff who care for them and local people. Farmers will have productive work and the ability to support their families and the Panda families will also flourish. Missing this year’s planting season increases the possibility of starvation for the area’s Panda population. With only 1,600 Pandas left this would be unacceptable!
With your donation you can request a Mao Mao memorial tee shirt. And please remember, every little bit helps. Your support will be greatly appreciated by all!
Suzanne Braden
Director
as one of the “10 Species on the Brink” — We must act now!
I know times are hard but we must do what we can to protect our friends the pandas, so please give as much as you can to Pandas International
References
Pandas International Email