News from Wolong
May 2008 Earthquake Damages Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center, Donors Provide Relief
November 12
Six months after a magnitude-8.0 earthquake devastated central China’s Sichuan Province—home to 46 giant panda reserves and 75 percent of the estimated 1,600 wild pandas—the National Zoo’s giant panda conservation programs in that region continue. Efforts are also underway to rebuild a destroyed breeding facility and assess the impact on panda habitat.
Within weeks of the May 12 quake, we launched a relief campaign that in six weeks solicited 900 donations totaling $92,000. In June, the Giant Panda Conservation Foundation and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) made an initial donation to the China Wildlife Conservation Association of $165,000 raised by the National Zoo and 14 other AZA-accredited zoos. The AZA is expected to send an additional $82,000 to China shortly.
“This earthquake was a human and environmental crisis of huge proportions,” said National Zoo Director John Berry. “We knew a coordinated response among zoos throughout the country was necessary, and the result is a testament to the collaboration between us and our Chinese colleagues that is so critical to the giant panda’s survival.”
The National Zoo’s giant panda conservation projects in China continue despite the destruction. Zoo ecologist William McShea is leading a cooperative effort with Peking University to assess the biodiversity of panda habitat by using camera traps and other methods to survey mammal populations in 15 reserves throughout Sichuan Province.
McShea visited three such reserves—Wanglang and Tangjiahe in the Minshan Mountains and Meigu in the Liangshan Mountains—from mid-August to mid-September to assess the mammal survey and train colleagues who are conducting Zoo-led black bear and takin conservation programs. Tangjiahe was among the hardest hit reserves, with many staff now living and working in tents.
“The earthquake’s greatest impact on giant panda conservation may be to the infrastructure needed to protect and manage pandas,” McShea noted. “That makes the training, capacity building, and other on-the-ground support the National Zoo can provide all the more valuable.”
The Zoo is also working to reestablish a project by wildlife ecologist Melissa Songer to map habitat suitability throughout the panda’s range and assess the impacts of climate change on its habitat. Other ongoing panda research includes studies of panda reproductive biology, investigation of a parasite unique to giant pandas, and the use of enrichment in panda management.
These research efforts recently received a boost through a $50,000 donation by Lee Kum Kee, a leading maker of authentic Chinese sauces. The Zoo’s partnership with Lee Kum Kee also includes an online sweepstakes offering a chance to win a grand-prize trip for four to Washington, D.C., and a special visit with the National Zoo’s giant pandas. Visitors to the Lee Kum Kee website can enter the “National Zoo Panda Sweepstakes” from November 15, 2008, through March 15, 2009.
Recovery in China
Chinese officials have estimated that as much as 80 percent of the panda’s habitat in Sichuan Province was impacted by the earthquake. The world-renowned Wolong Nature Reserve—the closest reserve to the epicenter and the birthplace of the Zoo’s panda pair, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian—was especially hard hit. The panda breeding center at the Wolong reserve was home to more than 60 pandas at the time of the earthquake. One panda was killed during the quake, and another died shortly thereafter.
Of the surviving pandas, approximately 50 were transported to the Ya’an Conservation Center in Bifengxia National Reserve, a new reserve 175 miles south of Wolong. Eight other pandas went to Beijing as part of the Olympic Games celebration, and the remaining pandas were transferred to the Chengdu Giant Panda Base and other zoos in China.
Funds raised by U.S. zoos have supported the transportation of the pandas from Wolong to other reserves, the establishment of temporary shelters at Wolong, and the expansion of the Bifengxia facility to accommodate additional pandas and staff. Funds have also supported recovery efforts of the Sichuan Forestry Department.
The site of the Wolong reserve—established in 1963 as China’s first panda reserve—sustained extensive damage and was rendered unsuitable. Plans have been developed for the creation of a new breeding center 12 miles south of the original location that will accommodate more than 80 pandas.
Meanwhile, the Sichuan Forestry Department has undertaken a survey to census the wild giant panda population and assess panda habitat in ten counties throughout the province. Results of the survey will provide a scientific basis for the future conservation of the giant panda and its habitat in the aftermath of the earthquake.
July 16
We would like to thank everyone who responded to our call for help for the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve in the wake of China's devastating earthquake in May. In just six weeks, more than 900 donors contributed more than $90,000! Your generosity amazed us and exceeded our expectations.
June 30
We have received word that most of the pandas at the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center—where our two adult giant pandas were born—have been moved to Ya'an and other facilities, as landslides and other safety risks due to the coming rainy season remain a threat. National Zoo staff will go to China later this year to help with the recovery.
We also wanted to let you know that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in cooperation with the Giant Panda Conservation Foundation, has made a $165,000 donation to the China Wildlife Conservation Association to support post-earthquake panda conservation. Those who donated on this website or sent checks to us helped us make a significant contribution.
June 10
We have sad news to share with you. Today Wolong's staff held a funeral for nine-year-old giant panda Mao Mao, a mother of five, who died after the wall of her enclosure collapsed in the May 12 earthquake. She was discovered yesterday, buried under rubble. Mao Mao was a valuable member of the panda community and will be missed. 
Read the Associated Press article and see photos.
June 4
Damaged facilities at Wolong. |
"I, my colleagues, and all pandas here are basically well," he wrote, "but most of the houses and panda facilities are detroyed. It may take about 1-2 years to rebuild."
Thanks to all the generous donors who have contributed to the Panda Relief Fund.
May 30
The devastating earthquake in China on May 12 and subsequent aftershocks left the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center (where our two adult giant pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, were born) and associated panda reserves severely damaged. The National Zoo has been working with the community of Wolong to help conserve pandas for more than 20 years.
The National Zoo and the Giant Panda Conservation Fund are helping the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center as it rebuilds and provides support for the giant pandas and their dedicated caretakers.
 Staff taking care of panda cubs in Wolong after the earthquake. Photo courtesy of news.sohu.com. |
Your support will help the Zoo help Wolong meet its immediate short-term support needs, provide replacement supplies and equipment, and assist in conservation-related relief efforts. Your generosity in contributing to this special appeal to benefit panda conservation is greatly appreciated. |
May 27
One of Wolong's two missing pandas, Xi Xi, has been found. Xi Xi was found over the weekend wandering in the dense forest, about 200 meters away from the breeding center. Staff at Wolong continue to search for the remaining missing panda.
May 22
As you may know, China is home to many more panda reserves than Wolong. In fact, the National Zoo has trained staff at more than 30 reserves in the area affected by the recent earthquake. Our most recent report from one of our colleagues in China is that no staff died at Tangjiah, Wanglang, Xuebaoding, or Xiaohegou reserves or Laohegou timber area. However, we are very sad to say that one staff member in Anzihe and five in Wolong were killed in the earthquake and aftershocks. All the buildings, roads, and electrical systems were damaged in all reserves.
Our colleague tells us that everyone is now living in tents in open (safer) areas and will likely stay there for at least two months, as the old buildings are no longer safe and aftershocks keep occurring. Some of them exceed a magnitude of 6.0.
Watch a National Geographic News video about pandas at the Wolong National Nature Reserve. (opens in new window)
May 20
We have heard more about the situation at Wolong from a colleague at the San Diego Zoo's Conservation and Research for Endangered Species, and are relieved that there have been some improvements. Food and medicine have been brought in, and the road leading out has been opened. At least two emergency shipments of supplies for pandas have been delivered, and because of damage caused by the earthquake, many of the pandas are living in smaller makeshift enclosures.
We cannot confirm the number of people at Wolong who were killed, but none were staff or caretakers at the breeding center. Our source says as many as five people who lost their lives may have worked at the Wolong Nature Reserve. He also said that a few pandas escaped from the breeding center after the earthquake, but he thinks that all but two have been caught up and are safe.
May 14, Afternoon
We recently got word that the staff at Wolong, including those doing field monitoring as well as tourists visiting the reserve, are all safe. There have been no reports of staff casualties at any of the panda reserves, but the infrastructure at all reserves has been damaged. Everyone who has suffered from the earthquake has our deepest sympathy.
May 14, Morning
We have gotten direct confirmation that the pandas at Wolong, Chengdu, and a preserve in Ya'an are safe. We do not yet know about staff and their families. We have heard that some reserves in Sichuan province were damaged by the earthquake, which caused some of the reserves' observation decks to collapse. Damage to roads has seriously restricted access to the reserves.
May 13, Afternoon
We just found out via satellite phone that all 86 giant pandas at Wolong are safe. We are relieved at this news but have not heard about Wolong's staff or their families. Our thoughts are with them and the earthquake's many victims. We will post an update when we find out more.
May 13, Morning
We have still not gotten any news from our colleagues at the Wolong Nature Reserve, but we know that the area was hit hard by Monday's earthquake. There is no phone access at Wolong, and the reserve's only road to Wenchuan (and Wolong) was heavily damaged. We will provide an update when we learn about the welfare of Wolong's pandas and staff.
The director of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has confirmed that all Chengdu staff, their families, and the base's more than 60 pandas are fine.
May 12
We are deeply saddened by the news of the earthquake that struck western China today. Many of you may be concerned about how China’s two giant panda breeding facilities were affected, and of course, we are too. We have heard that the pandas and staff at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding are safe. Wolong Nature Reserve, the birthplace of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, is in Wenchuan County, near the earthquake’s epicenter. We have not heard about the welfare of the pandas and staff there, but are continuing efforts to communicate with our colleagues at Wolong. We are carefully following the news and will provide updates. We hope we will be able to assist China and our colleagues in the face of this tragedy.
