China is strengthening its global efforts to conserve giant pandas by forging new partnerships with international zoos. The China Wildlife Conservation Association has recently signed agreements with the Madrid Zoo Aquarium in Spain and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in the United States to collaborate on giant panda conservation projects. These partnerships aim to enhance the protection and understanding of this beloved species worldwide.
In addition to these agreements, the association is currently in discussions with another U.S. zoo and an Austrian zoo to further extend its conservation initiatives. Spain, the United States, and Austria were among the first nations to engage in giant panda conservation cooperation with China, leading to significant achievements in breeding programs.
Through the combined efforts of Chinese and international research teams, China and these three countries have successfully bred 28 giant panda cubs. A source from the association emphasized the importance of international collaboration, stating, “Ensuring the health and safety of giant pandas living abroad is the most important premise and foundation of international cooperation.”
The association plans to enhance daily health monitoring and physical examinations of giant pandas residing overseas and will implement comprehensive field inspections and assessments in 2024. These measures are intended to ensure the well-being of the pandas and the success of the conservation programs.
Giant pandas have long served as “ambassadors” of China, building bridges of friendship between China and other nations. Since the 1990s, China has conducted joint protection research with 26 institutions across 20 countries, resulting in the successful breeding of 68 giant panda cubs in 41 litters.
The expansion of these cooperative efforts underscores China’s commitment to the global conservation of giant pandas and highlights the importance of international collaboration in protecting endangered species. As these partnerships continue to grow, they offer hope for the future of giant pandas and the preservation of biodiversity worldwide.
Reference(s):
China to launch new round of giant panda conservation cooperation
cgtn.com
