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.
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Hi Alicia,
ReplyDelete1. Why do you think people continue to poach pandas even with laws in place?
2. Do you think the captive-born pandas are able to survive in the wild?
-Zhou Zhou
1. Most people poach pandas for money and this usually happens in poorer countries. Considering the fact that pandas have vulnerable fur. And the thought that it would catch a high price and allow the family to survive for a even longer period of time, they would not care less about the laws. In some cases, the chinese believe that the meat and bones of the pandas can be used to make Chinese medicine. While some people may just do it for the fun of it, some do it to create a reputation for themselves. In my opinion, poaching of panda is still happening mainly because the government did not emphasize enough about the law.
Delete2. Personlly, I feel that captive born pandas are not able to survive in the wild as they cannot defend themselves and does not have social and survivial skills. However this does not mean that it is not possible. Although there were failures in the past, zoo keepers and specialists in Wolong, are training and preparing 7 pandas currently. I believe with appropriate and sufficent training, more pandas will be able to release into the wild. They have also taken extra precautions by being dressed in panda costumes to make sure that the pandas will not be used to being around with humans.
- Alicia
Oh I see. But what is the fur made into? Could you give me some examples of the products made out of panda fur? :D Thanks!
Delete-ZZ
The soft fur, like that of many other animals, is used in expensive coats and hats. According to pharmacist Lishi Zhen’s research, the quilt made by panda’s fur can prevent coldness and wetness, as well as pestilence and vice. A panda fur is worth between $60,000 and $100,000 on the illegal trade market.
Delete1. How do you feel about each of the methods?
ReplyDelete2. Do you feel that the methods above are efficient? Why/Why not?
3. Of all the conservation methods above, which method is the most efficient(in your opinion)?
-Lin Wei
I feel that the methods,removal of human settlements,control of poaching and modification of forestry operations are really taking effect. As for the release of captive-born pandas into the wild, some pandas are currently still going through the training. Recently last year, Tao Tao, had been released into the wild and is being monitored with a special GPS collar. He is doing great in the wild so far and if this is successful, we can look forward to seeing even more pandas following the footsteps of Cao Cao.
DeleteThe methods are definitely effective. After this Management plan had been issued, a great improvement could been seen. People were relocated from the reserve to other places. There has been great reduction of poaching of pandas. And people are following the guidelines for the modification of forestry operations, allowing minimum damage to be made. As I have metioned before, if the release of Cao Cao is successful, more captive breed pandas can be released into the wild and replenish the rapid decrease of wild pandas population.
In my opinion, the control of poaching is the most effective. With the government emphasises the law even more, people are afraid and you could hardly see any poaching of pandas.