Briahna Bishop
March 28, 2016
Dr. Zeng
M/W 8:00 a.m
The Giant Panda Express The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a beloved creature known to the world. However, it is also a creature that is critically endangered and faces extinction. As human advancements obliterate the habitats and influence the lifestyle of the Giant Panda, research is conducted to uncover the cause of the Giant Panda’s current predicament and to improve the methods of conservation to save the Giant Panda. Information gained by researching the Giant Panda and its behaviors would help scientists and conservationists discover just what is hurting the Giant Panda, and what people can do to stop the Giant Panda’s population from decreasing.
Habitat, a word that is
The major threat to their survival is the restricted and degraded habitats (Wang and Garshelis). Their habitat is not just one big area of land. In actuality, the Giant Panda’s habitat is fragmented and separated into small patches, each supporting a small population of the pandas. This fragmentation in habitat was caused by logging, deforestation, mining, poaching and by lightning speed economic development (Threats). Logging had been found to separate the once well integrated Giant Panda habitat into many sub sections (Zhou and Pan 363) and their forest habitats became increasingly fragmented by roads and railroads (Threats). Clearing the land in Giant Panda habitats had been another reason for the fragmentation of the Giant Panda’s habitat (Wang and Garshelis). The animal had been pushed higher and higher into the mountains, as their lower and flatter habitats were seized for human for agricultural activity (Wang and Garshelis). The small population due to the fragmentation is also a factor in the decrease in the population size. Studies have shown that small populations lead to a loss of genetic diversity and can lead to problems of inbreeding (Zhou and Pan
One important study that had been done was on the topic of small populations and how different factors will affect the population by scientists Zhihua Zhou and Wenshi Pan. It was important to discover whether these small Giant Panda populations would go extinct or persist, because the data would help to determine the future of the animal, especially since habitats are fragmented (Zhou and Pan 363). The study was conducted on the Qinling Mountain, where scientist caught and radio collared the Giant Pandas living there. Results shown that under current conditions, without considering factors such as immigration and poaching, the population was fairly stable and would persist for at least 200 more years. Also if the environmental capacity (the number of animals that the environment is able to support) doubles then the population would also increase. That was also the case if immigration increased. However, if emigration increased, then the population would decrease. This study had shown that to increase the population, one needed to increase the environmental carrying capacity so that more Giant Pandas could live in the same
Dierenfeld, E.S., Hintz H.F., Robertson J.B., Van Soest P.J., Oftedal O.T. (1982), Utilization of bamboo by the giant panda. The Journal of Nutrition ,112(4):636-41.
It’s habitat has extremely harsh conditions, and requires extreme structure and anatomy. The Red panda is a very interesting not yet well discovered creature whose facts are both fascinating and amusing at the same time. The Red panda’s diet is in a far range.
Figure 4-The giant panda’s primary diet consists of a variety of different species of Bamboo because bamboo is so very low in nutrition, pandas spent up to 12 hours per day searching for and consuming bamboo. The arrows are pointing towards the Snow Leopard and Man as they are the top apex predator of thi...
One behavioral characteristic to the giant panda is their eating habits. A giant panda’s diet consist mainly of bamboo, however, bamboo stalks contain a very insignificant amount of nutrition. For this reason, pandas are required to eat an extremely large amount in order to full their nutritional needs (World Wide Fund for Nature, 2016). For the average adult giant panda, one must eat a minimum of 26 pounds of bamboo. In requirement to fulfill this need a panda must spend up to 14 hours a day eating. This behavior increases the risk of habitat loss which negatively impacts their survival. Another behavior which can aid the giant panda is their incredible climbing skills in which they obtain. This allows the panda to be able to climb great heights in avoidance of predators or environmental floods. In terms of a giant pandas behavior when interacting with other organisms, they are considered to be extremely territorial animals, especially towards other bears. In order to claim their own territory as well as avoid entering another panda’s area, these animals will use scent markers as indicators (Kelly, 2016). Outside of their own species, giant pandas form various relationships with other species. Some relationships are mutual while others are predation. Their behavior towards these animals are influenced by the type of relationship between the two
For years tigers have been a symbol of grace, power, and majesty (“Tigers Threatened,” 2006), exhibiting mesmerizing beauty and limitless strength that has been recognized throughout the world. Because of this, tigers are highly valued, as their body parts are prized and worth an enormous fortune, consequently resulting in 3 of the 8 subspecies of tigers into extinction (“Tigers Threatened,” 2006). The remaining five tiger species went from hundreds of thousands, to only 3,000 – 5,000 combined, and one subspecies has been targeted tremendously for their prestigious status. In particular, Amur commonly referred to as the Siberian tiger, now face a great deal of danger, as poaching increases and destruction of their homes persist, leaving Amur on the brink of extinction as well. With approximately 500 left in the wild (Sartore, 2014, p. 1), the imperiled mammals status signifies severe endangerment, where recognition and assistance are in desperate need to put an end to prohibited hunting, and mindless deforestation. The following paper will incorporate aspects of both hunting and destruction of the ecosystem, as they are the two driving forces causing rapid tiger demise.
So why are Red Pandas going extinct. For some reason people think it is ok to hunt the endangered animal or tear down it home. In some ways these amazing animals are going extinct is due to deforestation, or they are being hunted. Red pandas are one of endangered animals that need our immediate attention.How can our society help keep red pandas for going extinct.
Pandas are cut off from bamboo in their habitat by occurring destruction. The strange thing about bamboo plants is they grow and die together. Once the bamboo dies, pandas search for a different specie of bamboo and find their new area destroyed. The clearing of their forests leave them subject to isolation, starvation, predators, and disease. Captivity provide Pandas a variety of 25 species of bamboo and the nutritional health care they need for healthy living.
Shreeve, jamie “Species Revival: Should We Bring Back Extinct Animals?” ngm.nationalgeographic.com 5 March 2013, 22 March 2014
"Red Panda." Fact Sheet. Friends of the National Zoo and Smithsonian National Zoological Park, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
Pandas are easily found by people in zoos, because they have their fur that is easy to find, and the fur keeps pandas warm during harsh weathers and seasons. these huge creatures have bold black fur on their ears, eyes, muzzle, legs, and
What animal is black and white and loved all over the world? If you guessed the giant panda, you're right! The giant panda is also known as the panda bear, bamboo bear, or in Chinese as Daxiongmao, the "large bear cat." Actually, its scientific name means "black and white cat-footed animal." Giant pandas are found only in the mountains of central China. They live in dense bamboo and coniferous forests at altitudes of 5,000 to 10,000 feet. The mountains are covered in heavy clouds with torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year. Giant pandas are bear-like in shape with striking black and white markings.
Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark. "Red Panda." National Geographic. 19 May 2017. Web. 19 May 2017.
In order to solve the overpopulation issue, the government should pay great attention to it. Some policies, such as “ One China policy”, have already been made in China. They have already paid off. For instance, in 1994, the natural growth rate was 11.21‰, but in 1999 it was only 8.77‰ (SFPCC statics). However, China still has a long way to go in this aspect, for the overpopulation is still serious now, just like what have been mentioned in the previous paragraphs.
Thesis statement : Since the population has grown rapidly since in the past Fifty (5) years, how did the Chinese government deal with the population explosion in the past and how will they deal,with it in the future?
...ing pandas pose for pictures. The pandas are starved so they will be more obedient when being photographed. Jill Robinson of Animals Asia: ''They are clearly victims of training using negative reinforcement, constant beating and lack of food until they get the trick right. '' To make sure the bears do not pose a threat to their trainers, they have their teeth and claws filed down. Animals are deprived of their basic right to live healthily.