China's giant panda represents worldwide efforts to save dwindling populations of many species of animals with its iconic image being used as the logo of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the leading organization that promotes wildlife conservation and protection of endangered species.
China, however, is limiting exposure of the panda, which serves as a national pride in the Asian country. Forestry authorities said that panda exhibits with the sole purpose of seeking financial profits will have to keep their hands off the bearlike mammal.
Authorities said that panda-themed exhibition should serve scientific, cultural and educational purposes as well as give a positive impact, promote awareness in environmental and wildlife protection and not to exclusively seek financial profits.
Some panda exhibits reportedly present the animals inappropriately and these are those that seek monetary gains and neglect their educational mission.
Some of the animals died after they were not being taken care of properly prompting the State Forestry Administration (SFA), China's wildlife watchdog to mull tightening the leasing of giant pandas to zoos by research centers. The SFA likewise said that stricter supervisions of the panda's conditions will be introduced.
"Pandas are seen as the flagship of global wildlife protection efforts," SFA said in a statement. "They are supposed to have a positive impact, promoting awareness, knowledge and concepts in terms of wildlife and environmental protection."
SFA also pointed out that zoos should not profit when people take photos or feed pandas, which are popular money-generating practices in these establishments.
The SDA conducted an inspection of the panda leasing system nationwide in May and found many problems with some lease arrangements being stopped because the pandas were being inappropriately displayed or were exploited for money.
As of end of January, China has 394 captive pandas with the Wolong National Nature Reserve having 201 and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding having 140. Chengdu base has lent 30 of the pandas under its care to 14 zoos in China and Wolong leases 69 pandas to be displayed at over 30 zoos.
Chengdu base head Zhang Zhihe said that some of the animals died at zoo. He said that while there is a set of procedures to follow, there have been violations involving the keeper, enclosure, food supply chain and veterinarian that did not meet the required standards.
The giant panda, which primarily feeds on bamboo, is native to south central China.
Photo: Mike Johnston | Flickr
