Through the persistent efforts of scientists, animal care, and public outreach specialists, the San Diego Zoo Giant Panda Team dedicated itself to improving the plight of giant pandas through the application of scientific findings to panda management, and engaging the public in the plight of this once-endangered conservation icon. They had an unparalleled opportunity to study this rare and elusive bear to a level of detail rarely experienced in wildlife science. And through long-term collaboration with the panda team in China, they were able to extend studies to the panda breeding center at Wolong and beyond—to the study of wild giant pandas. The long-term studies of the panda’s behavior and physiology provided important insights into the requirements for successful reproduction, maternal care, and foraging—key elements of both individual survival and population sustainability. (Photo of Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu)

While honoring the terms of the Zoo’s conservation loan agreement with the People’s Republic of China, it was difficult for SDZG and the pandas' many fans to say farewell to the two much-loved giant pandas, Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu (seen here). However, SDZG's conservation efforts on behalf of this iconic species would continue. “Thanks to the work we’ve done, we have met the initial conservation goals we set more than 25 years ago,” said Carmi Penny, director of Collections Husbandry Science at the San Diego Zoo. “Now, we must look to the future with a new set of objectives—and, along with our collaborators in China, we want to build on our conservation successes while attaining a deeper understanding of the giant panda.”

Douglas G. Myers, president/CEO, San Diego Zoo Global (left), and Consul General Zhang Ping of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, celebrate the partnership and success of the Zoo’s giant panda program. On April 6, 2019, guests gathered to commemorate the successful end of San Diego Zoo Global’s giant panda research program, and the beginning of a new era of panda conservation, kicking off a three-week-long farewell celebration for giant pandas Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu.

Pride and Hope for the Future

Over the 25-year conservation program at the San Diego Zoo, Bai Yun, Shi Shi, Gao Gao, and Bai Yun’s six cubs helped scientists learn a great deal about panda behavior, pregnancy, births, and maternal and geriatric care. This knowledge contributed to Chinese efforts to boost the wild population of giant pandas in China to nearly 2,000 individuals.

The now-sustainable population of giant pandas under human care and growing population, along with policies put in place by the Chinese government, led the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species to “downlist” the giant panda’s status from Endangered to Vulnerable. This meant that while threats to pandas’ survival remained high, indicators showed the species was in less danger of extinction than before, and that conservation efforts were working. In the wake of this accomplishment, conservationists continued to plan to further the momentum, and the return of Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu to China was a part of that overall strategy.

“Although we are sad to see these pandas go, we have great hopes for the future,” said Shawn Dixon, chief operating officer, San Diego Zoo Global. “Working with our colleagues in China, San Diego Zoo Global is ready to make a commitment for the next stage of our panda program.”

2019

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