Research, Veterinary, Field Research, Veterinary, Field Conservation & Education Conservation & Education Directions for the Chengdu Directions for the Chengdu

Research Base of Giant Panda Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingBreeding

January 2009January 2009

Areas of Need - OverviewAreas of Need - Overview ResearchResearch

• NutritionNutrition• GeneticsGenetics• ReproductionReproduction• Veterinary MedicineVeterinary Medicine

Veterinary Medicine Capacity BuildingVeterinary Medicine Capacity Building Field ConservationField Conservation

• Habitat AssessmentHabitat Assessment• Population AssessmentPopulation Assessment• Global Climate ChangeGlobal Climate Change• ReintroductionReintroduction

Conservation Education and Conservation Education and Community SupportCommunity Support• EvaluationEvaluation• Field conservation education assessment, Field conservation education assessment,

development, evaluationdevelopment, evaluation• Community Support ProgramsCommunity Support Programs

Nutrition Research Nutrition Research Bamboo supply for captive giant pandasBamboo supply for captive giant pandas

Bamboo is integral to giant Bamboo is integral to giant panda nutritional needs.panda nutritional needs.

Different, even the same Different, even the same institution, provides different institution, provides different bamboo to giant pandas at bamboo to giant pandas at different times of the year. different times of the year.

This is not dependent on giant This is not dependent on giant panda nutritional needs, but panda nutritional needs, but on transportation and harvest on transportation and harvest possibilities.possibilities.

Nutrients are different Nutrients are different between different bamboo between different bamboo species.species.

Research on bamboo supply for giant Research on bamboo supply for giant pandaspandas

Question: What bamboo Question: What bamboo supply is sufficient? supply is sufficient? Whether different Whether different bamboo supplies will bamboo supplies will effect animal health.effect animal health.

Objective: To determine Objective: To determine the sufficient bamboo the sufficient bamboo supply to meet the supply to meet the nutritional needs of giant nutritional needs of giant pandas pandas

Genetic Research - Key Issues Captive population:

• Parent Assignment• Gene Retention Survey

Wild population:• Genetic Diversity• (A, He, FI, Fst---Ne, m, Dst)

(From Jonathan Ballou, et.al.,1996)

Genetics ResearchGenetics Research

Ex-situ Conservation — Captive Breeding

• The captive population growing fast• Unequal founder contribution• Increasing mean kinship • Uncertain offspring-parent relationship

Microsatellite Research Advancement

Data Set 14 microsatellite markers

have been selected CD05,CD06,CD22,CD29,CD4

0,CD45 (Shen et.al,2005) Gp01,Gp03,Gp08,Gp901

(Zhang et.al.,1995) Ame10, Ame15,

Ame21,Ame25 (Lu et.al.,2001)

149 DNA

Future WorkFuture Work

大熊猫微卫星标记定位－ FISH The locations of microsatellite markers on

chromosomes---FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization)

迄今为止，我们对大熊猫微卫星标记在染色体上的位置尚不清楚。微卫星标记之间相互独立是种群遗传分析的必要条件，这对于正确估计种群参数具有重要意义。

However, we do not have a clear understanding of the locations of microsatellite markers on chromosomes but, the independent distributions of these markers are very important to estimate population parameters in genetic analysis.

We would like assistance determining the locations of these markers on chromosomes.

Future WorkFuture Work

大熊猫 SNP 标记的选择 Screen SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms)

markers SNP 标记在种群遗传分析中更为有效。大熊猫基因组测序

计划完成以后，我们就有机会筛选出适宜的 SNP 标记。并且在不久的将来，把这些标记用于大熊猫的个体识别和保护遗传学研究。

SNP markers are more effective markers in population genetics. The successful genome sequencing of the giant panda encouraged us to screen SNP markers as tools for future individual identification and conservation genetics studies.

We need to design SNP primers for pandas based We need to design SNP primers for pandas based on computer simulations. Furthermore, we need on computer simulations. Furthermore, we need to test these primers, and screen good markers to test these primers, and screen good markers for use for population analysis in the future.for use for population analysis in the future.

Research on genetics of Research on genetics of ex situex situ giant giant pandaspandas

Gene retention in the Gene retention in the ex situex situ giant panda giant panda population for improved breeding management population for improved breeding management and healthand health

In-situ Conservation

Genetic diversity

Gene flow

Genetic analysis of Genetic analysis of in situin situ giant panda giant panda populationspopulations

Qinling Mountains & Qinling Mountains & North Minshan North Minshan populationspopulations

Population size, Population size, structure and genetic structure and genetic diversitydiversity

Giant Panda ReproductionGiant Panda Reproduction Development of means Development of means

to detect LH to detect LH (Luteinizing Hormone) (Luteinizing Hormone) from urine samples.from urine samples.

Development of means Development of means to identify pregnancy to identify pregnancy and pseudopregnancyand pseudopregnancy

Study timing and Study timing and causes of early causes of early embryonic deathembryonic death

Giant panda reproductive behaviorGiant panda reproductive behavior

Compared with early-Compared with early-weaned cubs, whether weaned cubs, whether through an through an adopted adopted mothermother rearing a number rearing a number of cubs, can this help cubs of cubs, can this help cubs develop more normal develop more normal reproductive behavior?reproductive behavior?

• For improved natural For improved natural breeding in malesbreeding in males

• Natural breeding and Natural breeding and maternal care in maternal care in females females

Giant Panda Veterinary ResearchGiant Panda Veterinary Research

For disease preventionFor disease prevention To provide data to To provide data to

support management support management adjustmentsadjustments

Veterinary Medicine Capacity BuildingVeterinary Medicine Capacity Building Preventative medicinePreventative medicine Geriatric medicineGeriatric medicine Training on performing Training on performing

thorough physical thorough physical examinationsexaminations• Working through a case Working through a case

diagnostically using SOAP: diagnostically using SOAP: subjective, objective, subjective, objective, assessment, plan – using assessment, plan – using the information for the information for treatment, understanding treatment, understanding that context may make that context may make treatment different in each treatment different in each casecase

Veterinary Medicine Capacity BuildingVeterinary Medicine Capacity Building

Interpreting blood workInterpreting blood work Radiographs/ultrasound - Radiographs/ultrasound -

how to read and how to read and incorporate results into a incorporate results into a SOAP SOAP

Parasite monitoring Parasite monitoring Basic principles in Basic principles in

anaesthesiology, anaesthesiology, pharmacology, surgery, pharmacology, surgery, nursing care, the role nursing care, the role (and causes of) stress in (and causes of) stress in animals animals

Veterinary Medicine Capacity BuildingVeterinary Medicine Capacity Building

Basic principles of Basic principles of wound wound managementmanagement

Pain and stress Pain and stress management of management of patientspatients

Veterinary Needs – Stress ManagementVeterinary Needs – Stress Management

Physiologic and Physiologic and behavioral behavioral manifestations of manifestations of stressstress

Effects of stress on Effects of stress on healthhealth

Veterinary Diagnostic LaboratoryVeterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Perhaps in conjunction with UMD and Perhaps in conjunction with UMD and Sichuan Agricultural UniversitySichuan Agricultural University

UNIVERSITY OF

MARYLANDDEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL AND AVIAN SCIENCES

Field ConservationField Conservation• Habitat AssessmentHabitat Assessment• Population Population

AssessmentAssessment• Global Climate Global Climate

ChangeChange• ReintroductionReintroduction

Giant Panda and Habitat Assessment Post Giant Panda and Habitat Assessment Post EarthquakeEarthquake

Systematic and Systematic and habitat-wide habitat-wide assessment of giant assessment of giant panda population panda population and habitat post-and habitat post-earthquake.earthquake.

May 12, 2008, Sichuan ProvinceMay 12, 2008, Sichuan Province

May 12, 2008May 12, 2008 49 of 63 reserves 49 of 63 reserves

affected by the affected by the earthquake (22 earthquake (22 severely)severely)

~53% of panda habitat ~53% of panda habitat and 67% of the wild and 67% of the wild panda population in panda population in affected area (Wang, affected area (Wang, et. al.,et. al., 2008) 2008)

To date, we do not To date, we do not know the extent of know the extent of habitat damage or loss habitat damage or loss of wild pandas.of wild pandas.

Post earthquake needsPost earthquake needs

Systematic and habitat-Systematic and habitat-wide assessment of wildlife wide assessment of wildlife (giant panda) populations (giant panda) populations and habitat post-and habitat post-earthquakeearthquake

Rebuilding of nature Rebuilding of nature reserve infrastructurereserve infrastructure

Training for reserve staffTraining for reserve staff Ecological restoration Ecological restoration

/corridors - will need a /corridors - will need a great deal of technical great deal of technical support because no support because no trainingtraining

Eco-friendly livelihoods for local peopleEco-friendly livelihoods for local people

NeedsNeeds

Increased efforts to stabilize the captive Increased efforts to stabilize the captive population - the importance of this population population - the importance of this population most likely even more critical now.most likely even more critical now.

Media and educational attention to this crisis Media and educational attention to this crisis and effortsand efforts

Effects of global climate change on Effects of global climate change on flora & fauna of Sichuan Provinceflora & fauna of Sichuan Province

Changes in habitat Changes in habitat ecology, food ecology, food resources, animal resources, animal behavior, animal behavior, animal health, emerging health, emerging diseases, diseases, interspecies interspecies dynamics …dynamics …

Projects related to giant panda Projects related to giant panda reintroductionreintroduction

Evaluation of potential Evaluation of potential reintroduction sitesreintroduction sites

• Genetic relationships among Genetic relationships among wild giant pandas in a wild giant pandas in a potential reintroduction areapotential reintroduction area

• Ecology & zoology of Ecology & zoology of potential reintroduction potential reintroduction areas areas including sympatric including sympatric wildlife species, food wildlife species, food resources and potential nest resources and potential nest areas for giant pandasareas for giant pandas

Reintroduction programReintroduction program

Wild giant pandas in Wild giant pandas in a potential a potential reintroduction areareintroduction area

• Demographics, Demographics, social dynamics, social dynamics, community community structure, structure, population trends, population trends, habitat habitat preferencespreferences

Reintroduction programReintroduction program

Behavioral and Behavioral and social social conditioning of conditioning of release release candidatescandidates

Reintroduction programReintroduction program

Disease epidemiology in the potential Disease epidemiology in the potential reintroduction sitereintroduction site

Reintroduction programReintroduction program

Prevention of Prevention of disease transmission disease transmission among introduced among introduced pandas, wild species pandas, wild species and domestic and domestic animalsanimals

ReintroductionReintroduction Training on wildlife Training on wildlife

trackingtracking

Reintroduction programReintroduction program

Education and community support Education and community support for local people around for local people around reintroduction site to garner support reintroduction site to garner support and protectionand protection

Introduction to Dujiangyan Research SiteIntroduction to Dujiangyan Research Site

Goals of Dujiangyan SiteGoals of Dujiangyan Site

Reproduction and Reproduction and Population Security Base Population Security Base for Giant Pandasfor Giant Pandas

Research Base for Giant Research Base for Giant Panda ReintroductionPanda Reintroduction

Rescue and Resettlement Rescue and Resettlement Base for Giant Pandas Base for Giant Pandas after Earthquake after Earthquake

International International Conservation Education Conservation Education Demonstration BaseDemonstration Base

Example of Rebuilding Example of Rebuilding and City-Countryside and City-Countryside development of Chengdudevelopment of Chengdu

Current Holding CapabilitiesCurrent Holding Capabilities

Dujiangyan 25 giant Dujiangyan 25 giant pandas in the future.pandas in the future.

53 adults at Chengdu 53 adults at Chengdu Panda Base, old-24, Panda Base, old-24, new-29. (~75 is new-29. (~75 is reasonable)reasonable)

But now, 83 But now, 83 individuals. Will be individuals. Will be difficult to difficult to accommodate all accommodate all individuals when cubs individuals when cubs grow upgrow up

Wolong?Wolong?

Conservation EducationConservation Education

Education is the basis Education is the basis of two of the three of two of the three main goals of the main goals of the Panda Base Panda Base

We would like to We would like to measure educational measure educational success of current success of current programs for impact programs for impact on biodiversity on biodiversity preservation.preservation.

Educational TourismEducational Tourism

Educational Educational tourism for visitors tourism for visitors to the museum, to the museum, satellite museums, satellite museums, and exhibitsand exhibits

Conservation Education Programs & Conservation Education Programs & MaterialsMaterials

Educational OutreachEducational Outreach

Giant panda education & resource Giant panda education & resource websitewebsite

Social Science Research, Education, Social Science Research, Education, and Community Assistance Programsand Community Assistance Programs

Social science research coupled Social science research coupled with the creation of effective with the creation of effective conservation education conservation education interventions and community interventions and community assistance programs to aid in assistance programs to aid in wildlife conservation and wildlife conservation and reintroduction in Sichuan.reintroduction in Sichuan.

Partnership with WWF-China & Partnership with WWF-China & the North England Zoological the North England Zoological SocietySociety

Community Assistance ProgramsCommunity Assistance Programs

Need evaluation assistanceNeed evaluation assistance

South China TigerSouth China TigerZhang Wenping, PhDZhang Wenping, PhD

Thank you!Thank you!