2) WWF is working with China and they have developed a conservation plan for the pandas 'National Conservation Management Plan for the Giant Panda and its Habitat' in 1992. It includes 14 reserves and 5 areas (mountains stated below) that will connect the patches of their habitat (refer to Sophia's post: Why are Panda's Endangered?) The connected patches will allow pandas to move to other areas where they can associate with other pandas and mate to increase the panda population. By the end of 2003, the Chinese government has established 40 panda reserves protecting more than 10,400 square km of forest in and around the giant panda habitat. However, these reserves cover about 60% of the wild giant panda population, which is distributed mainly in the Minshan Mountains, Qionglai Mountains, Liangshan Mountains, Qinling Mountains and Xiangling Mountains. An example of a nature reserve is the Wolong National Nature Reserve, renowned for its China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Pandas.
Some other conservation projects are:
-Panda Conservation in the Minshan Landscape
- Qinling Giant Panda Focal Project
3) Monitoring and Patrolling of the Giant Panda Habitats (enforcement of wildlife laws against poaching and the illegal collection of herbs for traditional Chinese medicine)
4) National Panda Survey (finding of information about the status of the giant panda population as its habitat is vital to the strategic planning and implementation of panda conservation efforts.)
Source: http://www.wwfchina.org/english/pandacentral/htm/wwf_at_work/wwf_at_work.htm
http://www.wwfchina.org/english/sub_loca.php?loca=28&sub=87
Although much efforts have been put in by China, however, I feel that global efforts would be more useful. This can be seen in comparison of China's effort, mentioned in the previous post, and this current post. Thus, people around the world should put in more efforts in saving pandas (and well maybe other animals too!).
ReplyDelete-Lin Wei
Which of these conservation efforts have had the most success?
ReplyDeleteI believe the second point - The National Conservation Management Plan for the Giant Pandas and its Habitat have had the most success. This is because after the construction of the nature reserves and research centres, the number of pandas have increased from 1100 to approx 1600 now. Research on the pandas have also been done/is ongoing to find out more about the giant pandas so as to find a way to efficiently and effectively save them. I believe the establishment of all these reserves and centres contribute most to the growth of the pandas :)
ReplyDeleteThe other conservation efforts was not as significant as the establishment of reserves and centres, although they did play a part in the increase in the number of pandas.
For example, the educational organisations help by propagating the message of the conservation of giant pandas, but there are some people who refuse to listen, showing that it is not that successful :(
BUT! Everyone conservation effort counts! Although I believe that the establishment of reserves and centres contribute most, I hope there will be more conservation efforts :)
-ZZ
1. How efficient are the conservation efforts made?
ReplyDelete2. What are some of the challenges faced? (in your opinion + knowledge)
3. What do you think that can be done to improve the situations?
-Lin Wei
1. Overall, the conservation efforts are efficient in achieving their respective goals. Almost everyone knows that the giant panda is an endangered species, which shows that the education programmes/campaigns are/were successful. The nature reserves have also bred pandas in captivity successfully from just 6 to 100 plus now. The national panda survey is also very helpful as it provides researchers with valuable information to help come up with better ways to sustain the giant panda's population.
ReplyDelete2. With regards to the monitoring and patrolling of the giant panda's habitats, I believe there will still be some people who illegally poach and sell panda fur (for eg) in the black market. Also, when conducting the national panda survey, they must have faced many obstacles such as bad weather since they will need to conduct fieldwork.
3. Well, I feel that for the nature reserves should be closed for the tourists. This is because the tourists might litter and make a lot of noise which might disturb or agitate the pandas.
-ZZ
1. You mentioned that there are 'respective goals', may I know what are they?
ReplyDelete2. Are you trying to say that captive breeding is successful? Why do you say so even though most captive bred pandas does not end up successful after being released into the wild?
3. How does enclosing the conservation help the pandas? Won't this worsen the situation of fragmentation of panda's habitat?
-Lin Wei
1. Like you know, for example if its education programmes, it's successful in educating the public of the plight and conservation of giant pandas. If its the establishment of nature reserves, then they are successful in doing that :)
Delete2. Yes, it is true that some captive bred pandas died after being released into the wild. However, we learn from our mistakes. The nature reserves and research centres are refining their programmes (such as teaching them survival skills *refer to Alicia's posts) to make sure that they will survive in the wild. Hence, I am positive that it will be successful :)
3. I'm sorry I don't understand? haha
-ZZ