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13 - The neonatal giant panda: hand-rearing and medical management
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- By Mark S. Edwards, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Rongping Wei, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Janet Hawes, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Meg Sutherland-Smith, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Chunxiang Tang, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Desheng Li, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Daming Hu, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Guiquan Zhang, China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda
- Edited by David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC, Anju Zhang, Hemin Zhang, Wildlife Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, Donald L. Janssen, Zoological Society of San Diego, Susie Ellis
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- Giant Pandas
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- 09 August 2009
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- 27 July 2006, pp 315-333
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Summary
INTRODUCTION
Among eutherians, ursids have a significant disparity between maternal weight and neonatal weight (Leitch et al., 1959). The giant panda also produces a smaller litter mass relative to maternal body mass than, for example, the American black bear (Oftedal & Gittleman, 1989; Ramsay & Dunbrack, 1996; Zhu et al., 2001). The giant panda neonate is particularly altricial (i.e. highly dependent on parental care), requiring 24-hour care during the first weeks of life. This chapter deals with the issues and intricacies associated with the newborn giant panda cub, including hand-rearing and medical management.
NEONATAL CARE AND HAND-REARING: METHODS, RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Indications for hand-rearing
Although maternal care is always preferred for the giant panda cub, there are situations when human care-giving is mandatory. The most obvious is maternal abandonment, which usually becomes apparent within the first five to ten minutes of birth. A female that abandons her cub will typically leave it on the ground and move away, showing little or no interest. Intervention is also required when the dam holds the cub improperly (malpositioning). Such a cub can neither nurse nor rest, often moves about excessively (in an attempt to achieve proper positioning on its own) and then can fall to the ground. A third complication is the common production of two or more cubs (mean litter size is 1.7; range 1–3) (Schaller et al., 1985).
5 - Life histories and behavioural traits as predictors of breeding status
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- By Susile Ellis, Conservation International, Rebecca J. Snyder, Zoo Atlanta, Guiquan Zhang, China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda, Rongping Wei, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Wei Zhong, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Mabel Lam, M. L. Associates, LLC, Robert Sims, Department of Applied & Engineering Statistics
- Edited by David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC, Anju Zhang, Hemin Zhang, Wildlife Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, Donald L. Janssen, Zoological Society of San Diego, Susie Ellis
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- Giant Pandas
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- 09 August 2009
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- 27 July 2006, pp 87-100
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Summary
INTRODUCTION
Among mammals, the giant panda is reproductively unique. The female is a seasonal, monoestrual breeder, experiencing a single- two to three-day period of sexual receptivity once per year, presumably triggered by increasing day length. In the wild, male giant pandas compete with conspecifics for access to oestrous females (Schaller et al., 1985). Giant pandas produce copious sperm numbers (see Chapter 7), presumably as ‘insurance’ to ensure conception and the perpetuation of the male's genes if given the opportunity to mate during a female's brief window of fertility. Although the extraordinarily short oestrus is a fascinating biological trait, it does not appear to limit reproductive success in captivity given that a sexually compatible male is available and breeding occurs. It does, however, present challenges for captive management for cub production.
The wild-born giant panda cub stays with its mother for 1.5 to 2.5 years (Schaller et al., 1985). This almost always is not the case in Chinese zoos and breeding centres, because of the practice of promoting annual cub production by early weaning, usually before six months of age (see Chapter 14). The consequences of this short-term gain on long-term development remain a question, and studies are continuing on the impact of disrupted early rearing on adverse behaviours, including inappropriate aggression, inadequate sexual behaviour and/or incompetent maternal behaviour (see Chapter 14). These anomalies are rather common in the ex situ giant panda world. Many males tend to show aggressive rather than affiliative behaviours, even to females demonstrating strong oestrus.
21 - Analysis of demographic and genetic trends for developing a captive breeding masterplan for the giant panda
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- By Jonathan D. Ballou, National Zoological Park, Philip S. Miller, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Zhong Xie, Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens, Rongping Wei, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Hemin Zhang, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Anju Zhang, Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Foundation, Shiquiang Huang, Beijing Zoo, Shan Sun, Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Victor A. David, Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Stephen J. O'Brien, Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, Kathy Traylor-Holzer, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Ulysses S. Seal, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, David E. Wildt, National Zoological Park
- Edited by David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC, Anju Zhang, Hemin Zhang, Wildlife Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, Donald L. Janssen, Zoological Society of San Diego, Susie Ellis
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- Giant Pandas
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- 09 August 2009
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- 27 July 2006, pp 495-519
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Summary
INTRODUCTION
The foundation of any managed breeding programme for animals living in captivity is a studbook. This is the chronological listing of animals in the historical captive population detailing birth and death dates, gender, parentage, locations, transfers and local identification numbers (Glatston, 1986). Analyses of these data provide critical information on past trends in population size, age-specific reproductive and survival rates, age structure, numbers of founders, degree of inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity and other measures useful for evaluating temporal changes in a captive population. This information then becomes the basis for making management recommendations to enhance the demographic and genetic security of the captive population (Ballou & Foose, 1996). Demographic security is needed to ensure that an adequate number of breeding-aged animals are available to reproduce at the rates needed to grow or maintain the population at its desired size. Genetic diversity is required for the population to remain healthy and to adapt to changing environments (i.e. experience natural selection).
The 2001 International Studbook for the Giant Panda contains detailed life history information on 542 giant pandas that have lived in zoos around the world (Xie & Gipps, 2001). The first entry, giant panda Studbook (SB) Number 1, is Su Lin, a wild-caught female who arrived at Brookfield Zoo on 2 February 1937 (see Chapter 1). A quick scan of the studbook leaves one with the impression that the captive population's dynamics are dominated by entry and subsequent death of wild-caught animals without sustainable reproduction.
3 - Factors limiting reproductive success in the giant panda as revealed by a Biomedical Survey
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- By Susie Ellis, Conservation International, Donald Lo Janssen, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Mark S. Edwards, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Jogayle Howard, National Zoological Park, Guangxin He, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Jianqiu Yu, Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding, Guiquan Zhang, China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda, Rongping Wei, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, R. Eric Miller, Saint Louis Zoo, WildCare Institute, David E. Wildt, National Zoological Park
- Edited by David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC, Anju Zhang, Hemin Zhang, Wildlife Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, Donald L. Janssen, Zoological Society of San Diego, Susie Ellis
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- Giant Pandas
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- 09 August 2009
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- 27 July 2006, pp 37-58
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Summary
INTRODUCTION
There is surprisingly little published information about giant panda biology, especially in the life sciences. This poor quantity (and quality) of data has been due primarily to too few individual animals available for study and a traditional hands-off policy towards hands-on research in such a rare and high-profile species. However, recent changes (see Chapter 2) have created important, new opportunities for giant panda investigations. People responsible for ensuring that the species survives now realise that giant pandas living in zoos and breeding centres are a valuable research resource (see Chapter 1). It also has been recognised that this population must be intensively managed if it is truly to support giant pandas that are surviving precariously in nature. The intended result will be an ever-increasing amount of new, scholarly information and sufficient panda numbers to continue educating the public, helping to raise conservation funding, serving as a hedge against extinction, and even as a source of animals for potential reintroductions. However, these laudable goals can only be achieved by first understanding and then rigorously managing the captive population so that it becomes demographically and genetically stable. This, in fact, has become the mantra of Chinese managers of the ex situ population: ‘to develop a self-sustaining, captive population of giant pandas that will assist supporting a long-term, viable population in the wild’ (see Chapter 2).
6 - Nutrition and dietary husbandry
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- By Mark S. Edwards, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Guiquan Zhang, China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda, Rongping Wei, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Xuanzhen Liu, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- Edited by David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC, Anju Zhang, Hemin Zhang, Wildlife Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, Donald L. Janssen, Zoological Society of San Diego, Susie Ellis
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- Giant Pandas
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- 09 August 2009
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- 27 July 2006, pp 101-158
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INTRODUCTION
Nutrition involves a series of processes whereby an animal uses items in its external environment to support internal metabolism (Robbins, 1993). The nutrition and consequent nutritional status of an animal are basic to all aspects of health, including growth, reproduction and disease resistance. Thus, appropriate nutrition and feeding are essential to a comprehensive animal management and preventative medicine programme.
The giant panda's obligate dependence upon bamboo as a primary energy and nutrient source has been well described (Sheldon, 1937; Schaller et al., 1985). Many aspects of panda biology are directly related to its adaptations for utilisation of this highly fibrous, low energy density food, thus demonstrating the inseparable influence of nutrition on behaviour, reproduction and other physiological functions. There may be few other species that more effectively illustrate how an understanding of nutritional adaptations helps us interpret the species ecology.
This chapter describes insights into the nutritional adaptations of the giant panda while identifying priority research that will fill gaps in our understanding of these unique abilities. Historical and current strategies on feeding giant pandas in captivity are presented along with recommendations for improving nutrition and dietary husbandry to promote health and feeding behaviours.
ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, GUIDELINES AND ASSESSMENT
Feeding ecology and anatomical adaptations to a herbivorous diet
More than 99% of the food consumed by the free-ranging giant panda consists of bamboo (Schaller et al., 1985). Yet the giant panda is unique in that it has the relatively simple gastrointestinal tract of a carnivore.
4 - Significant medical issues and biological reference values for giant pandas from the Biomedical Survey
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- By Donald L. Janssen, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Mark S. Edwards, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Meg Sutherland-Smith, San Diego Zoo, Zoological Society of San Diego, Jianqiu Yu, Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding, Desheng Li, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Guiquan Zhang, China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda, Rongping Wei, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Cheng Lin Zhang, Beijing Zoo, R. Eric Miller, Saint Louis Zoo, WildCare Institute, Lyndsay G. Phillips, School of Veterinary Medicine, Daming Hu, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Chunxiang Tang, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda
- Edited by David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC, Anju Zhang, Hemin Zhang, Wildlife Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, Donald L. Janssen, Zoological Society of San Diego, Susie Ellis
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- Giant Pandas
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- 09 August 2009
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- 27 July 2006, pp 59-86
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Summary
INTRODUCTION
The Giant Panda Biomedical Survey sought to establish a baseline of scientific information on giant pandas living in Chinese zoos and breeding centres as a first step towards establishing a self-sustaining captive population (Zheng et al., 1997; see also Chapter 2). To produce the most information that would allow an understanding of the health and reproductive status of the extant population, we chose an interdisciplinary approach to examine as many health and reproductive traits as possible. What was crucial was the trusting relationship that developed early in the process between the Chinese and American teams which led to a thorough understanding of giant panda biology – information that not only was fascinating from a scholarly perspective but also valuable to improving ex situ management.
This chapter provides detailed methods and medical findings following the assessment of more than 60% of the living Chinese population of giant pandas (as existed in 1996 when the need for a Biomedical Survey was recognised). The results in this chapter address issues ranging from disease conditions to reproductive compromise, all of which ultimately allowed classifying each animal as to its usefulness in achieving the goal of population self-sustainability. The practices and reference values described here will also be useful to those who are interested in closely studying and managing giant pandas in the future.
Application of Capture-Recapture Models for Estimating Coffee Stemborer (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Abundance
- Jianing Wei, RongPing Kuang
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- Journal:
- Insect Science and Its Application / Volume 20 / Issue 1 / March 2000
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 September 2011, pp. 39-43
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- March 2000
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The population of coffee stemborers (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was estimated at six sites in south-west China using two capture-recapture models. Two sampling methods (simple and systematic random sampling), each at three sampling intensities (10, 20 and 30%) were employed for two-time capture attempts from which the capture-recapture estimates were calculated. Estimates from the models were compared with that of census data from the fields. When sampling intensity was 20%, satisfactory levels of accuracy were obtained using the two models. The level of accuracy of the estimates increased as damage rate and mean density of the insect increased. Accuracy was also increased with increasing the sampling intensity, when damage rate and density of stemborers in the plots were low.