What Panda Fans Need to Know!
1. Why Are Panda Cubs Born So Small?
Panda babies are remarkably small compared to their mother, which is due to a number of evolutionary and biological factors. One major reason is the relatively short gestation period in pandas. During this time, the embryo does not have enough time to fully develop, leading to the birth of very underdeveloped cubs.
Unlike most mammals, giant pandas do not have immediate implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine wall. Instead, the fertilized egg remains in a dormant state in the mother's uterus for some time. This period of embryonic diapause can last several months, during which the embryo does not develop further. This delay shortens the effective gestation period, also contributing to the small size at birth. Additionally, after birth, the panda mother focuses her energy on producing milk to nourish the cub over a longer period, rather than investing energy in the embryo's development during pregnancy.
2. Do All Giant Pandas Belong to China?
Today, all giant pandas indeed belong to China. Even pandas living in zoos outside of China are on loan under contractual agreements. These contracts stipulate that all offspring, regardless of where they are born, also belong to China and usually return to their homeland after a few years.
This approach allows China to monitor the genetic diversity of the panda population and ensures that the revenues from these loan agreements go towards conservation efforts. Similar to how Australia manages its unique animals, such as koalas and kangaroos, China uses this system to promote the conservation of its national animals. Through these measures, countries with endemic species (species that are found exclusively in a very limited geographical area) can better protect them while also generating financial resources to secure the long-term protection and preservation of these animals.
3. Do the Cubs Have to Leave Zoo Berlin Eventually?
The Panda Garden area at Zoo Berlin is designed to accommodate two adult giant pandas. In their natural habitat, these animals are solitary, so the enclosures of Meng Meng and the male panda Jiao Qing are also separated. Typically, panda mothers and their offspring part ways after about two years. Male pandas become sexually mature at the age of five to six years. Therefore, the current cubs will eventually leave Berlin—just like many other animals born in the zoo—to ensure genetic diversity within the species through targeted breeding programs.
The rescue plan for the giant panda includes establishing successful conservation breeding to build a secure reserve population under human care. This has been achieved, as evidenced by the successful breeding efforts. The next step involves further research and preparation for the reintroduction of animals from human care into the wild. Initial attempts at reintroduction have already been successful, but in addition to conservation breeding, preserving and restoring suitable habitats is crucial for the giant panda's survival. The Giant Panda National Park project plays a central role in the restoration and connection of fragmented habitats. Since 2020, this park has been a large protected area in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi in China. It consists of about 70 nature reserves and spans over 22,000 square kilometers.
![[Translate to English:] Großer Panda Meng Meng](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/1/csm_Grosser_Panda_-_Meng_Meng__3__b5941ea919.jpg)
4. Can Animals Born in the Zoo Be Released into the Wild?
In principle, animals born in captivity can be released into the wild. It is more promising if animals are released in the second generation, and the cubs of, for example, those born at Zoo Berlin grow up in special enclosures where contact with humans is minimized, so they can relearn the fear of humans and not fall prey to poachers. Zoo animals are encouraged as much as possible to exhibit their natural behaviors, such as reproduction, foraging, and raising young. This is also supported by physical and mental stimulation, such as challenging feeding devices for great apes or training for California sea lions. Herbivores can find food in the wild relatively easily. A forward-thinking conservation breeding approach is also essential: Just because there are no current reintroduction opportunities, we believe that a species should not be allowed to go extinct. In a few decades, the situation may change, and suitable habitats for tigers, polar bears, etc., may be available again. Many successful examples of reintroductions (Przewalski's horses, European bison, bearded vultures, lynxes) show that zoo animals can adapt to natural conditions again. The greatest challenge is finding a suitable and safe habitat.
