We interviewed tourists at the river safari last weekend. They were from all over the world! Middle East, France, Arizona and England. These were their responses :)
England
1) I like how the tourists get a chance to see these rare animals in a cool (temperature) environment.
2) In my country, we designate countryside areas specifically for wildlife.
3) Yes but I feel they are over exploited by the Chinese Government. The reason they got to Singapore is to foster a good relationship between and China and Singapore and not for goodwill.
4) If it helps to keep them alive yes.
Middle East
1) I don't know.
2) In my country we do not have many conservation efforts.
3) It's good.
4) Yes as they are endangered and protecting them will give them a better life.
5) No I don't. It's better if the pandas live in their natural environments.
France
1) Close to pandas allowing more interaction. Pandas were sleeping! Maybe it is too hot?
2) We don't have pandas.
3) Very important as there are only a few left.
4) Yes, of course. There is a limited number of pandas. If they disappear the future generation will not have a chance to see them.
5) Not as good as natural breeding but its still better than nothing.
Arizona, USA
1) It's very clean and the pandas looked well-cared for.
2) We have better conservation efforts such as planning.
3) Very important as one missing species can throw the entire eco-system of balance.
4) Yes, definitely.
5) If there aren't any alternatives then yes but it's better if the pandas breed naturally.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Interview Response (Family and Friends)
Zhou Zhou's Family:
1. Yes. From the news and everyone around me has talked about it at least once.
2. Hope that they will not be extinct
3. They like to sleep, they are timid, can eat meat too
4. Cruel manner and its very sad. Already at brink of extinction yet many people continue to kill them for their skin
5. Yes. It is important as giant pandas should be conserved.
6. I’m sure there’s a lot of money put into this, although I’m not sure of the exact amount. However, I feel that it is necessary.
7. I don’t have any idea how I can help. The most we can do is to donate as most of the panda’s conservation is in China.
8. Protest against killing and hunting of panda fur
1. 1. Yes. Through public campaigns and commercials on social media
2. 2. Conservation mostly in China because we don’t have pandas here. Since they are trying to conserve these pandas, they should retain them in their own countries as a different environment might be potentially harmful to them. For example, Jia Jia (the socially awkward one) seems to be distressed in the Singapore Zoo and this could affect her behaviour and alter its natural way of living.
3. 3. Cute beings! Haha. An interesting fact about the giant pandas that I know is when theya re born, they are very tiny and pinkish and they have got very little fur such that you can only see the skin with minimal fur. However, as they mature, they grow into a big furry mammal ;D
4. 4. I feel that they are abused and tortured for human’s greed. Despite their size, they are confined in small enclosures (1st picture)
5. 5. No, I don’t. At least in Singapore its very rare. Maybe because the immigration authority does not allow products made of panda fur to be imported. Of course it is J
6. 6. Yes because there are not many left in the world.
7. 7. No I don’t think so. This is because if a lot of tax payer’s money is being spent on the running of the country, then the animals in their country will also have the rights to be conserved and to be able to freely to roam in their habitats without any impending danger.
8. 8. The very little part I can do is to spread the awareness in my school on the giant pandas and probably some funds and if possible, I would organize an overseas expedition (for eg China where most of the giant pandas are so as to educate them the importance and the need to save them)
9. 9. If they see products made of panda, they should not purchase it as with lesser demand comes lesser supply J In terms of supporting the conservation efforts of the giant pandas, they can make monetary contribution on a monthly basis.
1 10. Yes I would. I believe that a small contribution from an individual will be the first step towards providing a better life for the pandas.
Miss Liu’s answers:
1. Do you know that the giant pandas are endangered? How?
Yes. Through reading an article on National Geographic/ general knowledge that pandas are ‘rare’.
2. How do you feel about the conservation of the Giant Pandas?
I’m glad that effort has been made to protect and conserve Giant Pandas. As a Chinese, the panda is significant in my history and culture, but I am not sure how others would feel about it / think that it is a waste of time.
3. What do you know about the giant pandas?
They were originally carnivores but they think they are herbivores, and have remained ever since this mistaken identity.
4. How do you feel when you see these pictures?
The first picture looks like a shaky photograph…? I’m guessing the bear is in an enclosure, which may or may not be a good thing. It will not be able to harm or attack humans, so it gives humans the peace of mind when they visit the zoo. However, the problem with all enclosures is that it limits the animal to a confined area, unlike the wilderness where they are free to roam and “be themselves”.
The second picture is a little sad… as much as I don’t like the idea of humans harming animals, a panda “rug” looks really tragic. I don’t wish to imagine the de-skinning process.
5. Do you see any panda fur products in the market now? If yes/no, do you think its a good thing?
No, I don’t… yes, it is a good thing, because it shows that panda fur is not in demand; hence, lesser pandas will be hunted for their fur (I think?) but there are many other fur products in the market, and many other animals are dying and being killed as well…
6. Do you feel that conversation [spelling error] is necessary?
For pandas, or animals in general? Conservation is a good human effort because it shows we are trying to preserve what Mother Nature has kindly given to us. as with everything else in the food chain, once an animal is gone for good, it upsets the ecosystem.
7. Do you feel that too much money is spent on giant pandas? Why/Why not?
I’m not exactly sure how much money is spent, but sometimes I feel money can be better spent on more pressing world issues.
8. How do you think you can play a part and why?
I don’t know how… the only feasible way I can play a part is visit the zoo/ hope that the money from the entrance ticket will be used to help conserve pandas. I know I might sound selfish but if it is not something I am interested in, I wouldn’t want to play a part because I will not enjoy doing what I’ll do.
9. What are some actions that the public can do together to save the pandas?
Don’t hunt or kill pandas. Educational/ awareness programmes to help the public know that these pandas need help!
10. If there was a panda conservation programme, would you sign yourself up? Why/why not?
No I wouldn’t. Firstly, the zoo is located far away. Secondly, as we do not have pandas in the wildernesses of Singapore, I feel very unrelated and distant from this issue. Also, I am quite confident many Singaporeans will sign up for it (see Pambassador event from 2012) as they seem to be passionate about conservation! Lastly, I don’t think I have time to spare for this/ it is not one of my priorities in life.
Alicia's Family
1. Yes. From the news and other campaigns.
2. More efforts are being done to conserve the pandas, not only from China but also other countries.
3. They eat bamboo shoots. Panda represent China and they sleep a lot. Most importantly, they are extremely cute! :P
4. They are cruel and spare no thought for them.
5. No, I haven’t seen any panda furs in the market. It is not a good thing.
6. Yes. Animals are living things too and all lives are precious. We should cherish all of them.
7. Nope. They are precious and it would be essential for the continuity of the pandas so that the next generations would be able to see them.
8. Help to raise awareness by telling family and friends. Encourage them to attend campaigns and such programmes.
9. We should all donate to help in the conservation of pandas
1 Yes. I think we should all do a part to help the endangered pandas and if everyone of us plays a little part each, it will add up to a lot.
1. Yes. Through school projects and internet articles. And programmes that the zoo organises to raise awareness of the pandas.
2. I feel that there is more room for improvement and they can do much more. As some countries are still mistreating pandas, yet WWF is not doing anything to solve them efficiently.
3. They eat bamboo shoots and they come from China.
4. I feel that humans can be very awful to animals and they will do anything for money.
5. No, I haven’t seen any panda furs in the market. It is not a good thing as it harms the young pandas so as to satisfy their own greed.
6. Yes. Animals are part of Mother Nature and there would be a hole in the food chain if they go extinct.
7. No. No money can replace the importance of such unique animal if they go extinct.
8. I can raise awareness by telling your friends.
9. Inform the world about the endangering animals and warn them about the consequences about the extinction of such animals. And raise concerns about such issues so that the public can write a petition against the use of pandas fur and poaching.
1 Yes. I care about the endangered animals and I am concern about the rapid decrease of such animals.
Sophia's mum:
1. Yes
2. I'm very supportive and I think it is the right thing to do before the pandas become extinct.
3. Bamboo is their only source of food. Despite their large size they are vegetarians.
4. I am appalled that they kill pandas for their fur. I'm horrified.
5. Yes it is or people will keep killing pandas for their fur etc and they'll become extinct.
6. No. They need to be protected as they are a symbol of friendship for China.
7. Play a part by not supporting killing animals for their fur and body parts.
8. We can all play a part by not supporting killing animals for their fur and body parts.
Tricia
1. Yes. Internet. Articles on it.
2. Singapore has done their part to save the pandas by providing a safe home for them at the river safari.
3. They eat bamboo, they are endangered.
4. Sad and angry. They kill pandas for their skin when they are endangered. And they cannot move around in the small cage, no freedom.
5. No. Panda fur products aren't good.
6. Yes if we don't save the pandas they will become extinct.
7. Yes but it's for a good cause.
8. By not supporting products made of panda fur.
9. We can help to raise awareness of panda extinction.
10. Yes because I want to play my part in helping the pandas.
Shi Ling
1. Yes. School project.
2. China is putting a lot of effort into the conservation of pandas.
3. They eat a lot of bamboo.
4. Very sad that people try to kill the pandas as they are very precious and iconic.
5. No. Yes it's a good thing there aren't any panda products.
6. Yes because if dont conserve and preserve the pandas the future generation will not be able to see the pandas.
7. Don't know how much is spent.
8. Honestly dunno.
9. Petition to preserve the pandas habitat.
10. Yes I want to play my part as I love giant pandas.
Charmaine
1. Yes. There are not many pandas in Singapore.
2. I feel that they are doing a good job cuzzzzz next time there will be more pandas for the future generations
3. Singapore has 2 giant pandas from China
4. I feel sad because they ill-treat the pandas and pandas are already endangered. If they continue to do this the pandas will become extinct at a faster rate.
5. Not really. There are not much pandas for manufacturers to get their fur.
6. Yes. I feel that conservation will ensure the continuity of pandas for the future generations.
7. Not really. The money spent are for pandas necessities.
8. Avoid buying any products made from pandas.
9. Campaigns and taking part in panda related programs.
10. No. I’m not very interested and I feel that I’m very young, hence, I cannot really play a part in conserving pandas.
Shirin
1. Yes. Through internet.
2. Good. It is good that they are putting in effort to conserve pandas. However, it isn’t working out very well.
3. People are destroying the natural habitat of the pandas, they are black and white and are cute.
4. Sad. The first picture looks like its been tortured. The government has put in so much effort but looking at the state of this panda it does not show any good or improvements made. Trapped and should be left to roam freely.
5. No, but there are panda biscuits and pencil cases J Yes as less pandas are being killed and the government is actually taking efforts to stop panda poaching.
6. Yes. Without pandas there might be imbalance in the eco-system
7. No. Its essential to conserve what we have. The money is put into good use.
8. Donate so that they can continue with the conservation
9. Stop hunting illegally and donate more
10. Yes cuz I like pandas and I don’t want to see them go extinct
Jaime
1. Yes. I saw a lot of WWF posters and always ask to give funds to save the pandas.
2. I find that its not enough. Doing very little
3. They are black and white, eat bamboo, don’t exercise much :P very cute
4. I feel very sad for these pandas because they are mistreated.
5. No I don’t. And they are not good because they just kill the pandas just for the pandas.
6. Yes or else the pandas will be extinct and the future generations can’t see the pandas anymore
7. No I don’t think so because a lot of money is needed to save.
8. I think I can go volunteer to participate in the events. Funds are no use cuz they are corrupted
9. We should all support the government and don’t buy panda products if they see any.
10. No cuz I don’t have time.
L Lin Wei's Family
Through the Media, newspaper.
They're trying hard to conserve the pandas. I believe that it will be successful.
They're big size and adorable. They look huggable.
I feel sad for the pandas in the cage. They deserve to have their own freedom.
No, because the government could have banned it to support the panda's conservation project. I don't think that it is good because it is cruel to get the pandas killed just for our own purposes.
Yes, of course. If not the pandas will be extinct. They deserve a chance to live.
A little too much. Because for the pandas' conservation requires a lot of effort, land and space, which requires money. More money is even spent for them because of their diets, since the food they consume us limited.
Raise awareness. With awareness, people will be more cautious about their actions since most will sympathies with the state of the pandas.
Campaign, to create awareness.
Yes. We must support the conservation of the pandas. In order for people to follow, I need to make the first move.
Friday, 19 April 2013
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Interview Questions
(Public)
(Make sure they see the panda exhibit first)
1. What are some positive and negative points of the Kai and Jia panda exhibit?
2. How is the conservation of animals in your country differ from ours?
3. How do you feel about the conservation of giant pandas?
4. Do you feel that it is necessary?
(Make sure they see the panda exhibit first)
1. What are some positive and negative points of the Kai and Jia panda exhibit?
2. How is the conservation of animals in your country differ from ours?
3. How do you feel about the conservation of giant pandas?
4. Do you feel that it is necessary?
5. Do you support the captive breeding programme?
(Family/Friends)
1. Do you know that the giant pandas are endangered? How?
2. How do you feel about the conservation of the Giant Pandas?
4. How do you feel when you see these pictures?
5. Do you see any panda fur products in the market? Do you think these products are good?
6. Do you feel that conversation is necessary?
7. Do you feel that too much money is spent on giant pandas? Why/Why not?
8. How do you think you can play a part and why?
9. What are some actions that the public can do together to save the pandas?
10. If there were a panda conservation programme, would you sign yourself up? Why/why not?
(Family/Friends)
1. Do you know that the giant pandas are endangered? How?
2. How do you feel about the conservation of the Giant Pandas?
3. What do you know about the giant pandas?
4. How do you feel when you see these pictures?
5. Do you see any panda fur products in the market? Do you think these products are good?
6. Do you feel that conversation is necessary?
7. Do you feel that too much money is spent on giant pandas? Why/Why not?
8. How do you think you can play a part and why?
9. What are some actions that the public can do together to save the pandas?
10. If there were a panda conservation programme, would you sign yourself up? Why/why not?
Monday, 15 April 2013
Alicia - Measures taken to save endangered giant pandas
To ensure the survival of the Giant Pandas, the Chinese Government issued a National Conservation Management Plan for the Giant Panda and its Habitat. Here are some of the contents of the plan:
Removal of Human Settlements
The presence of human inside the reserve can cause an impossible conflict of interest. People can be excluded by selecting or redrawing reserve boundaries to exclude human settlements or where this is impossible to actually move and resettle human communities.
Control of Poaching
Despite having heavy penalties, poaching is still a serious threat to pandas. The only solution is by having more rigorous patrolling, bringing more poaches to trial, tightening the legal loopholes and closing down the animal products trade outlets.
Modification of forestry operations
Even though China may face a a huge wood shortage and the country could not afford to leave all the panda habitat uncut, it is possible to reduce the damage to the panda habitat. Example: No new timber unit will be established in the panda habitat. Cut the forest in a pattern that preserves routes and quiet habitat for pandas to emigrate during the time of logging disturbance.
Release of captive-born pandas into the wild
Once a young panda arrives at Wolong, it initially lives in a section of the reserve that has been converted into something like a survivalist boot camp for pandas. Expansive panda enclosures within the boot camp are located on steep, panda-friendly hills and are filled with trees and bamboo. With mother serving as drill sergeant, each new panda recruit learns survival skills, such as how to forage for food and avoid predators.
Removal of Human Settlements
The presence of human inside the reserve can cause an impossible conflict of interest. People can be excluded by selecting or redrawing reserve boundaries to exclude human settlements or where this is impossible to actually move and resettle human communities.
Control of Poaching
Despite having heavy penalties, poaching is still a serious threat to pandas. The only solution is by having more rigorous patrolling, bringing more poaches to trial, tightening the legal loopholes and closing down the animal products trade outlets.
Modification of forestry operations
Even though China may face a a huge wood shortage and the country could not afford to leave all the panda habitat uncut, it is possible to reduce the damage to the panda habitat. Example: No new timber unit will be established in the panda habitat. Cut the forest in a pattern that preserves routes and quiet habitat for pandas to emigrate during the time of logging disturbance.
Release of captive-born pandas into the wild
Once a young panda arrives at Wolong, it initially lives in a section of the reserve that has been converted into something like a survivalist boot camp for pandas. Expansive panda enclosures within the boot camp are located on steep, panda-friendly hills and are filled with trees and bamboo. With mother serving as drill sergeant, each new panda recruit learns survival skills, such as how to forage for food and avoid predators.
Sources:
Positive impacts
Hi everyone!
Here are some positive impacts humans have on pandas :-)
Keeping Pandas in Zoos
Because giant pandas are so rare, they have become very popular zoo attractions and every zoo in the world wants to get its hands on a panda. The popularity of pandas in zoos increases public awareness of their predicament and may increase donations to panda preservation organizations. Animals raised in the zoo also receive protection against forces that kill pandas in the wild.
Recovering destroyed bamboo forests
The 2008 earthquake in China destroyed vast swaths of bamboo forests that provided an important habitat for pandas. Recovery initiatives paid Chinese farmers to seed and tend bamboo plants. These efforts were successful and expanded into full-scale bamboo farming that created a larger habitat for pandas to live in.
Increasing and conserving panda habitat
Panda habitat is increasing with the development of new reserves.
Today there are approximately 40 panda reserves across Southwestern China. Some are Nature Reserves providing a safe habitat for wild Giant Pandas (eg a National Park). Other reserves protect the wild Giant Pandas while having scientific research centers to study their behavior and for breeding captive Giant Pandas.
The reserves also protect the Giant Panda's natural habitat.
Logging is extremely detrimental to the giant pandas' habitat so in 1998 a logging ban was implemented by the Chinese government to slow the destruction. This helps to conserve the pandas habitat.
Linking isolated panda zones
Pandas live in 20 habitats within their current range. These zones are cut off from each other by roads, farms, cities and other human development.
The Chinese government, in partnership with WWF, is now working to link these isolated panda habitats with corridors of bamboo forest.
By creating green bamboo corridors that link these zones, the remaining pandas will be able to extend their range, find more food and find other pandas to mate with, increasing their population and their genetic diversity.
Sources: http://www.ehow.com/info_8180423_effects-giant-panda-being-endangered.html
http://www.pandasinternational.org/wolong.html
http://javefinch2.blogspot.sg/2008/06/panda-conservation-success.html
http://m.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/giant_panda/solutions/protectedareas/corridor/index.cfm
Here are some positive impacts humans have on pandas :-)
Keeping Pandas in Zoos
Because giant pandas are so rare, they have become very popular zoo attractions and every zoo in the world wants to get its hands on a panda. The popularity of pandas in zoos increases public awareness of their predicament and may increase donations to panda preservation organizations. Animals raised in the zoo also receive protection against forces that kill pandas in the wild.
Recovering destroyed bamboo forests
The 2008 earthquake in China destroyed vast swaths of bamboo forests that provided an important habitat for pandas. Recovery initiatives paid Chinese farmers to seed and tend bamboo plants. These efforts were successful and expanded into full-scale bamboo farming that created a larger habitat for pandas to live in.
Increasing and conserving panda habitat
Panda habitat is increasing with the development of new reserves.
Today there are approximately 40 panda reserves across Southwestern China. Some are Nature Reserves providing a safe habitat for wild Giant Pandas (eg a National Park). Other reserves protect the wild Giant Pandas while having scientific research centers to study their behavior and for breeding captive Giant Pandas.
The reserves also protect the Giant Panda's natural habitat.
Logging is extremely detrimental to the giant pandas' habitat so in 1998 a logging ban was implemented by the Chinese government to slow the destruction. This helps to conserve the pandas habitat.
Linking isolated panda zones
Pandas live in 20 habitats within their current range. These zones are cut off from each other by roads, farms, cities and other human development.
The Chinese government, in partnership with WWF, is now working to link these isolated panda habitats with corridors of bamboo forest.
By creating green bamboo corridors that link these zones, the remaining pandas will be able to extend their range, find more food and find other pandas to mate with, increasing their population and their genetic diversity.
Sources: http://www.ehow.com/info_8180423_effects-giant-panda-being-endangered.html
http://www.pandasinternational.org/wolong.html
http://javefinch2.blogspot.sg/2008/06/panda-conservation-success.html
http://m.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/giant_panda/solutions/protectedareas/corridor/index.cfm
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Zhou Zhou - Success of Captive Breeding
Extracts from China daily, North Ad Ed 22 Oct 1997
"Most of them have been bred in China's 30-odd zoos and nature reserves. The first artificially inseminated panda cub was born in 1978; in 1980, scientists used artificial insemination technology and frozen sperm to reproduce a panda successfully.
In 1990, Chinese scientists developed a method to ensure the survival of both cubs in the case of twin births, while in the natural condition the female panda always abandons one of hers twin cubs; in the same year, a set triplet cubs also survived."
"In Wolong National Reserve in Sichuan Province, researchers of the China Research Centre of the Giant Panda Reservation reproduced their first panda cubs in 1986.
From 1991 to 1996, the centre successfully reproduced 16 cubs, 11 of which are still living, which means the survival rate has risen to 70 per cent, much higher than the average. This year, panda breeders are glad to see that three of those captive born panda cubs have reached maturity and are ready to breed."
Just some facts and figures to show that captive breeding is successful in increasing the giant panda population :)
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