Final Report - Asian Development Bank

TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 5
the release criteria of the Reintroduction Specialist Group in 2002 led to the conclusion that release of
captive pandas was not recommended, pending the outcome of the third census in 2004 16 .
61. The third census (Figure 1, Table 6) showed a 44 percent increase in total Panda numbers
and a 150 percent increase in the Qinling population as compared to the second (1989) census.
These results indicate that the wild populations are recovering naturally from the very low numbers of
the late 1980s and that the first reason for reintroduction (augment numbers of Pandas in the wild) is
no longer valid.
62. After 17 years of study of Giant Pandas in the Qinling, Pan Wenshi and colleagues
concluded in 2002 that the genetic diversity of the Qinling population had not been degraded by
inbreeding 17 . This result indicates that the second reason for reintroduction of captive Pandas
(increase genetic diversity in the wild) is not applicable to the population in the Qinling.
63. The 66 percent increase in area occupied by Pandas from the second to the third census
indicates that Pandas are naturally dispersing to habitats that are suitable but previously unoccupied.
This is further evidence that the population is recovering naturally and that the risk and expense of
reintroduction are not warranted.
c. Sichuan Golden Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana)
64. Four species of Golden Monkeys live in mountainous habitats in northern Vietnam and
southwest China 18 (Table 8). The Sichuan golden monkey occurs in Shaanxi Province and on the
proposed Project Area where it lives in deciduous broadleaf and conifer forests at 1,200-3,000 m. The
three China Golden Monkeys occupy forests with distinct seasons and snow in winter. This
adaptation to subtropical and temperate forests distinguishes the Chinese species from other
primates, most of which are adapted to tropical habitats.
65. Golden monkeys live at low total population numbers and densities. Individual groups range
over large areas to forage for a high-quality diet of fruits, seeds, leaves and shoots (Table 7). Golden
monkeys mature at seven years of age and adults make up around 50% of wild populations. The
interbirth interval is estimated at three years.
66. All four species of golden monkey are globally threatened but the Sichuan Golden Monkey is
least vulnerable to extinction, with an IUCN classification of Vulnerable (Table 7). With reference to
the Endangered Guizhou Golden Monkey, Conservation International noted that “even in the absence
of any external threats, populations smaller than 200 monkeys can not be considered viable” 13 . This is
due largely to disease risks among small populations. The total Qinling population is thought to
exceed 4,000. However, it occurs as many small and sometimes isolated populations in fragmented
habitats. Continuous (unfragmented) stands of dense forest habitat are needed to maximize genetic
exchange between Golden Monkey sub-populations and thereby increase population viability.
16 Mainka, S., W. S. Pan, D. Kleiman and Z. Lu. 2004. Reintroduction of Giant Pandas: An update. Pages 246-
249 in Lindburg, D. and K. Baragona (eds) Giant Pandas: Biology and Conservation. University of California
Press, Berkeley. 308 p.
17 Pan, W. S., Y. Long, D. J. Wang, H. Wang, Z. Lu and X. J. Zhu. 2004. Future survival of Giant Pandas in the
Qinling mountains of China. Pages 81-87 in Lindburg, D. and K. Baragona (eds) Giant Pandas: Biology and
Conservation. University of California Press. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA.
18 Conservation International. 1999. Guizhou Snub-nosed Monkey: Conservation and PHVA Workshop.
Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve. 25-29 October 1999.
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