Recently, the romance between two wild giant pandas was confirmed. Notably, this love story involves “Taotao” (male) and “Huayan” (female), both of whom were reintroduced into the wild (First Time in China: Two Released Giant Pandas “Dating” Captured on Camera). This marks the first time in China that two released pandas were observed courting each other in the wild.
The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (known as the “Panda Center”) has reintroduced 11 captive-bred giant pandas into the wild, 10 of which were cared for and monitored by zookeeper Mu Shijie. “Taotao,” the male involved in this recent romance, was the first panda he looked after when he joined the Panda Center.
Reintroducing giant pandas into the wild involves releasing captive-bred pandas to strengthen wild populations. Mu explained that to participate in this work, one must minimize the pandas’ dependence on humans. For this reason, the zookeepers often use a “magic tool” – panda disguise suits. Whenever interacting with pandas undergoing wild training, Mu and his colleagues wear these suits, which are sprayed with panda urine or smeared with panda feces to make them resemble real pandas more closely.
Why Do “Panda People” Need to Stay Invisible?
“Taotao” was the first panda at the Panda Center to undergo “wild training” where a mother raises her cub in a natural setting. In this process, the cub learns essential survival skills, such as foraging and evading predators, by following its mother. During this time, the zookeepers must remain invisible.
The wild training occurs in two stages. The first stage begins when the cub is born and lasts until it is about one year old. During this period, the cub lives in a small training enclosure that mimics a natural environment, feeding on its mother’s milk while learning basic skills like climbing trees. To prevent the cub from becoming dependent on humans, zookeepers limit contact as much as possible and always wear the panda disguise suits.
Mu recalls an incident where Taotao saw a “panda person” and immediately climbed a tree to hide. “I think it sensed something was off, but in its world, it had no concept of humans,” Mu explained.
At around one year old, the cub transitions from milk to bamboo, marking the start of the second phase of wild training. The mother and cub are moved to a larger enclosure adjacent to their natural habitat. Here, the cub learns to forage independently, find water sources, and evade predators.
Mu and his colleagues closely monitor the pandas during this phase. Each patrol through the wild takes over four hours, and in bad weather like heavy rain or snow, they may spend an entire day trekking through the wilderness.
The Emotional Farewell
After caring for Taotao for two years and two months, Mu faced the bittersweet moment of saying goodbye. Taotao had become independent and, after passing a comprehensive assessment, was ready to be reintroduced into the wild. Following its release, the team monitored its progress and determined that Taotao was thriving in its new environment.
Why Are “Panda People” Happier When Pandas Are Released?
Unlike zoo keepers, Mu can’t have close contact with the pandas, and working in the wild comes with risks. During one outing, Mu and his colleague heard a strange noise in the wind before a large tree fell between them, narrowly missing them as rocks tumbled down from above.
Sometimes, the pandas themselves add to the challenges. Mu recalls how a panda named “Qinxin” repeatedly dug her way out of the electronic fence during her second phase of wild training. Despite this, Mu was pleased because it showed that Qinxin was lively and had fully absorbed the skills taught by her mother.
In addition to the zookeepers, the Panda Center’s researchers play a crucial role in ensuring the pandas’ safety and success. Zhang Mingchun, a wild ecological research expert, explains that they select female pandas with strong survival skills and motherly instincts, such as Taotao’s mother, “Caocao,” who was rescued from the wild.
The Challenges of Reintroduction
Reintroducing pandas into the wild is more complicated than just “opening the release cage.” First, the pandas’ survival skills and health must be evaluated to ensure they can fend for themselves. Second, the release site is carefully chosen based on factors like habitat quality, available food sources, and the genetic background of the panda.
Even after release, the pandas are closely monitored using GPS collars and other data collection methods like infrared cameras and fecal samples. The team’s monitoring continues long after the pandas are in the wild, helping ensure their survival.
A New Chapter in Panda Conservation
Before Taotao, the reintroduction of pandas faced setbacks. In 2006, a male panda named “Xiangxiang” was released into the wild after independent training but died less than a year later due to injuries from a fight with a wild panda. This failure prompted the Panda Center to restart its reintroduction program in 2010, using the “mother-raised” wild training method.
Since then, nine of the eleven reintroduced pandas have survived, and many have successfully integrated into small, endangered wild populations, significantly contributing to the conservation of these groups.
Currently, three pairs of pandas are undergoing wild training at the Panda Center’s Hetaoping Base. When the time comes to release them into the wild, the staff will, once again, bid them farewell with a mix of pride and hope.
Mu reflects on the emotional journey: “Watching them grow from just over 100 grams at birth to over 100 kilograms when they leave, it’s a complex feeling when we say goodbye. But my deepest wish is that they thrive in the wild because that’s where they truly belong.”
