So far in 2023, 11 giant pandas have returned to the Panda Center, and as of this tweet, except for the giant pandas "Yiyi", "Meixiang", "Tian Tian", "Fubao", "Sunshine" and "Tiantian", the rest of the returnee giant pandas live in the four bases of the Panda Center, all of which are on display.
Why are some returnee pandas exhibited to the public, while others are not?
According to the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of the Use of Quarantine Sites for Imported Animals and the basic requirements for designated quarantine sites for imported terrestrial wild animals, returnee giant pandas are required to undergo quarantine for 30 days. Quarantine is mainly to prevent and prevent giant pandas from bringing the source of the epidemic back to China and infecting other giant pandas.
Therefore, some returnee giant pandas are suspected of carrying the virus, and they will be quarantined for more than 30 days, and even after the end of quarantine, there will be a transition period to be observed, so as not to cause the infection of the epidemic source of the captive population.
Will the returnee pandas that have successfully completed quarantine and passed the transition period be exhibited immediately?
The answer is not necessarily.
Each giant panda has its own characteristics, and the adaptation time is also long. For example, the giant panda "Xiangxiang", who returned from Japan, has a sensitive personality and has an adaptation time of nearly 8 months.
Although the process is long, the transformation from "social fear" to "Shanliwa" during the exhibition shows that there is a gradual process for returnee giant pandas to adapt to life in their hometown, so that they can meet everyone in the best state.
In addition, there are environmental factors.
Some returnee giant pandas adapted well during the quarantine and transition periods, but they showed stress reactions when they were displayed to the public. Such as the giant panda "Little Miracle" who returned from the United States. According to the keepers, after the "Little Miracle" was exhibited, the smell and sound response to the giant pandas in the adjacent enclosure was relatively large, and the initial performance was reluctant to return to the inner house, and was affected by complex factors such as the sound and smell of the crowd in the tourist area, and the performance was more excited. In addition, the soles of his feet were scratched, so for a period of time, the "little miracle" was allowed to move in the inner circle, and after the park closed in the afternoon, it was released out of the outfield, and it gradually adapted to the new environment.
Are the returnee giant pandas who are not on display not adapting well?
Not really.
The returnee giant pandas that are not on display, like other giant pandas, will be adjusted in a timely manner according to their individual circumstances and feeding management arrangements, that is, they will "move" at any time. For example, recently, the enclosure of Wolong Waltaoping base has been upgraded and renovated, and some giant pandas and associated animals have "moved", some to Ya'an base, some to Dujiangyan base, and some to Shenshuping base. The giant pandas seen in the Wolong Hetaoping base in the morning will be seen in the Ya'an base the next day, such as the giant panda "Ran Ran" introduced in the wild and moved from the Hetaoping base to the Ya'an base with the baby.
For returnee giant pandas, adapting to the climate, environment, food and captive population exchange in their hometown is a process that is not limited by time. In accordance with the principles of breeding, the breeding team will make appropriate adjustments according to the individual conditions of the giant pandas, such as feeding, spirit, defecation, activities, etc., and fully respect the individuality of each giant panda.
At present, the giant pandas "Meixiang" and "Tian Tian" enjoy a comfortable life in the Dujiangyan Health Care Area, the giant pandas "Yiyi" enjoy the natural scenery in the Wolong Hetaoping Base, and the giant pandas "Sunshine" and "Tiantian" live comfortably in the Ya'an Base.
The giant panda "Fubao", who recently returned to China, has now ended isolation and quarantine and is further adapting to the Wolong Shenshuping Base.
When it will be exhibited to the outside world, it depends on the adaptation of "Fubao". The breeding team of the Panda Center is also constantly summing up experience to reduce the possible stress after the exhibition as much as possible, so that "Fubao" can meet everyone in the best condition.
There is no rule on the length of transition and adaptation time for returnee giant pandas, because each giant panda has individual differences, and we respect the individuality of each giant panda, because what suits them is the best.
Source: iPanda Channel