Final Report - Asian Development Bank

28
TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 7
141. At Project completion, the number of giant Panda, Crested Ibis and Golden Monkey are
expected to 80% of the planned numbers, while the forage production area will be more than 70%
developed, rescue work in the field should service 80% of the total province and the survival rate
should be more than 60%.
142. Satellite Area 1 - The Giant Panda Breeding Center has been relocated to be two miles of
the current SARC site in Hu-Bao valley.: This is a complex of animal enclosures and associated
facilities within the project QBCDA area with the eventual capacity for up to 40 giant pandas which will
be open to visitors. The pandas will be maintained in high quality landscaped and planted
environments to encourage natural breeding in controlled conditions under observation. The additional
space will enable the pandas to improve their levels of fitness.
143. The work at the center will greatly enhance the knowledge and understanding of pandas in
an ex-situ environment and enable scientific research to be undertaken in good quality facilities which
will benefit the animals and staff in the future.
144. The center will play an important role in the public awareness and education program for
both the local communities and for domestic and international visitors, using giant pandas as the
flagship species for the Qinling Mountains. Due to the nature of the site and the limited number of
visitors to it, the education program will be supported by the main center in Louguantai.
145. The center has the potential to act as a preparation site for pandas that need rehabilitation
after a long period under care and to study the process of preparation of giant pandas bred at the
center for reintroduction, utilizing the potential space availability and the natural landscape in the area.
146. Some non-breeding and young pandas will be held at the main center in Louguantai in large
naturalistic enclosures. The proposed site will need a full survey to assess the challenges for the
construction of all the required facilities with minimal impact on the site. The detailed design should
have the flexibility to consider the survey results and provide the required number of appropriate
facilities. Minimum disturbance to the site is required so a landscape and plant expert may be
advisable for the team.
147. The detailed design should be guided by information gained from visits to other panda
breeding centers e.g. Wolong, and from their experiences. Consideration needs to be given to the
facilities available at the main center in Louguantai to avoid unnecessary duplication of buildings and
equipment. It will be beneficial if the construction program can be developed to match the needs of the
panda center population as it grows over the years.
148. The proposal raises some concerns including:
� The high number of pandas proposed for the location
� Origins of current founder population and Qinling sub-species issues
� Natural reproduction in captive pandas
� Sourcing new founders to reach target
� Need for a provincial conservation program for giant pandas considering ex-situ roles
� The need to ensure giant pandas are on view to the visitors through good
management program
� The scale and number of the facilities needed to support the center which could
damage the site
� Will the individual enclosures be large enough to prevent complete destruction of the
plant base?
� Are there any poisonous plants in the enclosures that could present a risk to the
pandas?
� The impact on the river through the construction work or the development of small
dams and potential damage to the river system in the valley if dams are built
� The expertise of staff to manage pandas in these new facilities
� Relatively remote location for staffing
� Management in winter and adverse weather conditions
� Visitor access and security
� Are there risks from wild animals in the area that might enter the site and the panda
enclosures?