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THE GIANT PANDA: ENDANGERED SPECIES

PROJECT ‘09

http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Tess Curran

Block E

June 11th 2009

CLASSIFICATION

Bear? Or Red Panda?

Scientist who discovered pandas, Pere David Armand believed the panda to be a bear, but others took a look, and the question began…(Source 1)

http://www.icis.com/blogs/asian-chemical-connections/black-bear.jpg

http://tigertailfoods.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/red_panda_close_up.jpg

FINAL DECISION, DEBATE ONGOING

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ailuropoda Species: A. Melanoleuca (Source 5)

WEIGHT AND STATS

WWF, http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/photography/index.html

-63-75” long-Males are 187-275 pounds, Females 154-220 pounds (Source 8)

-Delayed Implantation (Source 1)

-Cubs move at 6 months, leave mother at 18 months (Source 8)

http://www.beijingholidays.net/

DIET 99% is bamboo (Source 12)

Originally ate meat- 33 ft long intestines v. 160 ft long As a result, 20-30% of nutrients in bamboo is absorbed, so

pandas must spend 14 hours a day eating (Source 7)

Can sometimes eat

- Birds, rodents, carrion meat (Source 2)

-Bark, wild parsnips, willow leaves, irises (Source 1)


ADAPTATIONS Large, flat teeth for grinding bamboo Extra molar, rounded cheek bones Solid lining extending through mouth, esophagus, and

stomach (Source 4)

Developed thumb (extended wrist bone) Source 2

Sharp claws, flexible- back paws point inward, making it slow but adept climber (Source 1)

http://www.skullsunlimited.com/graphics/bc-29-lg.jpgWWF, http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/photography/index.html

HABITAT Forests of central china (Source 9)

Must include:

-Thick bushes for shelter

-Hollow fir trees for dens

-Close to water- will ignore ½ mile away (Source 1)

◦Solitary animals- saves energy for foraging

◦Will go to lower elevations in winter for warmer climate (Source 8)

http://www.hawh.cn/admin/upload_file/img/

http://indritours.com/upload/images/newslet_panda_02.jpg

INTERACTION Seek each other out in the mating season, occasionally

throughout the year. Share forests with these animals: (Source 3)

http://www.freewebs.com/iansferret/W1.JPG http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses http://www.breederretriever.com/blog

http://www.operationcharm.org/ http://www.quantum-conservation.org/

DECREASES IN POPULATION

WHY?? MAIN POINTS

China’s large population forces peasants into higher elevations. (Source 8)

Deforestation and logging. (Source 11)

Fragmentation leads to inbreeding and less mating (Source 8). Bamboo dies every 40-80 yrs. 10% of the population died in 1970’s

(Source 11).

Pandas give birth to only one cub every other year (Source 5). Breeding in captivitiy is difficult- pandas are prone to mental

problems. (Source 5)

Female ovulation only 1-2 days each year. Females are ‘picky’ with whom they mate (source 5).

Artificial insemination is difficult- Zookeepers are reluctant to loan pandas out from zoos for research (Source 1).

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK282838.htm

Hunting- one pelt can go for a peasant’s entire life savings.

o 140 illegal skins were found in past years- almost 10% (source 8).

o Natural disasters- Biologists are still not sure about direct impact, but…o Earthquake May 12,2006 destroyed 8% of

the habitat and the Wolong Nature Reserve (source 10).

o Parasites can prevent panda growth and prevent from breeding (Source 1).

o Nature reserves weren't managed properly.o Money shortages and under training.

(Source 6).

o 1983-’87, 30 panda cubs were taken from the wild (Source 6).


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive

CONSERVATION EFFORTS