Scientific Research

Zoos, scientific research centers, breeding centers, or semi-protected areas work together to maintain a self-sustaining ex situ population of a given species. This population may serve as a hedge against extinction of the species, as well as a reservoir for improved understanding of its natural history.

The Chengdu Panda Base is an example of a scientific institute engaged in ex situ research towards in situ conservation.Its goal is not only to provide technical support for scientific research on wild pandas, but also to increase the wild population through improved management and, ultimately reintroduction of individuals into areas from which the in situ populations have declined.

The Chengdu Panda Base focuses its research on the advancement of conserving wildlife in China, including the giant panda, the South China tiger, the red panda, the golden monkey and others. Researchareas include reproduction, nutrition, veterinary medicine, behavior and more.

Advances in these fields enable it to provide optimal care for the captive populations. Furthermore, findings from ex situ and in situ research are reciprocally applied to the improved management of both wild and captive populations.

As of 2005, the Chengdu Panda Base received 59 awards for scientific achievements from the Chinese governments at national, provincial and municipal levels. More than 200 articles have been published on Chinese and international journals.

It is the first panda conservation institution to achieve breakthroughs in captive breeding such as artificial insemination and helping twins to survive. It has made advances in frozen semen technology to help overcome mating difficulties in captive giant pandas.

This technology allows artificial insemination of females. Additionally, it allows the exchange of semen from males among breeding centers to improve the genetic diversity of the captive population. Perfection of cryopreservation of semen could allow this technology to be used in the field. The base has also set up the largest semen bank and the only cell bank for giant pandas in the world. It assisted in setting up a giant panda studbook to optimize management of the captive population.

To enhance both in situ and exsitu conservation of the giant panda, the Chinese Committee of Breeding Techniques for Giant Pandas was formed in Chengdu in 1989.The project received support from many institutions, including the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens, Chinese and international zoos, nature reserves, and research institutions.

The committee has dramatically benefited giant panda conservation through annual meetings, international symposia, personnel and academic exchanges, and domestic and foreign captive breeding coordination.

Through its long-term productive and collaborative efforts, the Committee functions perfectly in international giant panda conservation.

The base has been progressing in its research capacity. Its three-floor Research Center mainly serves as modern laboratories education venues. With well trained research staff, it has established partnership with researchers from eight different countries, as well as scientists from all over China.

The center and its international network of scientists contribute to the world's systematic research on giant panda breeding and protection.

Because of its outstanding achievements in panda conservation, it was granted the Global 500 award by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1995. It also received the Golden Medal of Chinese Green Science and Technology which is the highest award in wildlife conservation in China.