Ways to Save the Giant Panda

Habitat Preservation

• The Chinese government has implemented several strategies focused on the natural habitat of the giant panda. One is the development of 12 nature preserves. These areas were selected because bamboo, the major food source of the giant panda, is abundant. These areas are also known to be existing habitats for living giant pandas. Humans are not permitted to use the panda habitats for the grazing of cattle, sheep and goats in an effort to protect the bamboo seedlings from being trampled.

Reforesting Habitat

• Logging is believed to be one of the largest threats to the species. In 1988, the Chinese government placed a ban on logging in the areas of the country known to be habitats for the giant panda. The ban was formally related to the country's overall need for forest protection, but the impact has been significant for the panda population. The cessation of logging provided the country the time to reforest the ravaged land, restoring the lost forest as habitat for the pandas.

In-Captivity Breeding

• Another solution China is implementing to protect the endangered giant panda is the development of a large, in-captive breeding program. There are 33 panda reserves across China and the Chinese government has developed a goal to breed giant pandas on the reserves and reintroduce them into the wild.

Dietary Intervention

• Even though most issues for the giant panda can be directly linked to human sources, the survival of the bear is still challenged by its own dietary problems. While the species has made significant evolutionary adaptations to be able to consume bamboo, the giant panda still has the digestive system of a carnivore. This makes digesting cellulose, the main element of bamboo, difficult. The giant panda's digestive track quickly passes large amounts of bamboo grass every day, making it more susceptible to an assortment of digestive illnesses.

Reproductive Support

• Female giant pandas breed once a year and are fertile for only two to three days. The female may not have the opportunity to mate during her time of fertility. In addition to no opportunity to mate, a female panda is picky about her mate. She may choose not to mate even when a male is available. Fertility breeding programs are being implemented for giant pandas that frequently use fertility procedures commonly used in human treatment.