JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
A CLOSER LOOK at Our Giant Panda Conservation Impact
Seniors
FREE All February at the Safari Park. For full details, visit sdzsafaripark.org.
From February 1–28, 2025, all visitors ages 65 and older receive free admission to the Safari Park. Enjoy the sights on an Africa Tram, see the platypuses and other Aussie animals at Walkabout Australia, wander through Tull Family Tiger Trail, take a stroll around Mombasa Lagoon, and relax with refreshments on the patio at Kijamii Overlook. There’s a world of sights to see, all at the Safari Park.
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2025
Vol. 5 No. 1
CONTENTS 02 President/CEO’s Letter 03 By the Numbers 04 Findings 06 Hot Topics 1 7 Meet Our Team 26 Events 28 Wildlife Explorers Page 29 Last Look
COVER STORY 08 With a Little Help from Our Friends
8
It takes a village—several of them, actually—to forge a sustainable future for giant pandas. Find out all about the teamwork that led to a brighter tomorrow.
FEATURES 14 Visualize It Explore some of the characteristics that make pandas so special.
18 Eats Shoots and Leaves
18
22
At its root, the task of keeping giant pandas well-fed is a combination of dedication and cooperation.
22 Panda Health From preventative measures and good nutrition to advanced diagnostics, it takes teamwork to keep these beloved black-and-white bears in top shape.
On the Cover: Giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca Photo by: Ken Bohn, SDZWA photographer PHOTOS BY: (Top) Ken Bohn/SDZWA, (Bottom Right) SDZWA, (Bottom Left) Tammy Spratt/SDZWA
MANAGING EDITOR Peggy Scott STAFF WRITERS Eston Ellis Alyssa Leicht Sandy McCann Ellie McMillan Elyan Shor, Ph.D. COPY EDITOR Sara Maher DESIGNER Christine Yetman PHOTOGRAPHERS Ken Bohn Tammy Spratt DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Kim Turner Lisa Bissi Jennifer MacEwen PREPRESS AND PRINTING Quad Graphics
Let's Stay Connected Follow @sandiegozoo & @sdzsafaripark. Share your #SanDiegoZoo & #SDZSafariPark memories on social media.
The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded in October 1916 by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D., as a private, nonprofit corporation, which does business as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The printed San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal (ISSN 2767-7680) (Vol. 5, No. 1) is published bimonthly, in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Publisher is San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, located at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101-1646. Periodicals postage paid at San Diego, California, USA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, PO Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112-0271. Copyright © 2025 San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved. All column and program titles are trademarks of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
As part of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s commitment to conservation, This product is made of material from wellmanaged FSC®-certified forests, recycled materials, and other controlled sources, chlorine free, and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified. FSC® is not responsible for any calculations on saving resources by choosing this paper.
If your mailing address has changed: Please contact the Membership Department by mail at PO Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112, or by phone at (619) 231-0251 or 1-877-3MEMBER. For information about becoming a member of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, please visit our website at ZooMember.org for a complete list of membership levels, offers, and benefits. Paid subscriptions to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Journal are available. Contact the Membership Department for subscription information.
LET TER FROM THE PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Giant Hope Through Conservation
Officers Steven S. Simpson, Chair Steven G. Tappan, Vice Chair Rolf Benirschke, Vice Chair Adam Day, Treasurer Gary E. Knell, Secretary Trustees Tom Chapman E. Jane Finley Clifford W. Hague Bryan B. Min Kenji Price Corinne Verdery ‘Aulani Wilhelm
pandas back to the United States in more than 20 years. And with the arrival of Xin Bao and Yun Chuan at the San Diego Zoo, we look forward to continued successes as we work with our partners to support sustainable solutions for the future. This special edition of the Journal highlights our remarkable journey in giant panda conservation, offers a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of Panda Ridge, illustrates the dynamics and complexities of bamboo production, and reveals the intricate details of specialized and comprehensive healthcare for pandas. Thank you for all you make possible each and every day. We look forward to this new year together—as an ally for wildlife, you bring hope to the world, and we’re forever grateful. Onward,
Trustees Emeriti Javade Chaudhri Berit N. Durler Thompson Fetter Richard B. Gulley Robert B. Horsman John M. Thornton
Executive Team Paul A. Baribault President and Chief Executive Officer
Shawn Dixon Chief Operating Officer
David Franco Chief Financial Officer
Erika Kohler Senior Vice President and Executive Director, San Diego Zoo
Lisa Peterson Senior Vice President and Executive Director, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Nadine Lamberski, DVM, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM) Chief Conservation and Wildlife Health Officer
Wendy Bulger General Counsel
David Gillig Chief Philanthropy Officer Paul A. Baribault President and Chief Executive Officer
Aida Rosa Chief Human Resources Officer
David Miller 2 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
Chief Marketing Officer
PHOTOS BY: Ken Bohn/SDZWA
As we ring in a new year, we celebrate the infinite hope that’s possible through conservation. For the past 30 years, we’ve worked alongside our partners to achieve one of the greatest conservation successes of all time—the rescue and recovery of giant pandas. Together we’ve experienced monumental moments, including the birth of the first giant panda to thrive in the United States and five additional cubs, whose lineage and legacies continue today across China. And our decades-long partnership with China Wildlife Conservation Association led to the downgrading of giant pandas from endangered to vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The successes we’ve celebrated together are powerful reminders that when we collaborate with and trust each other, we can truly achieve the impossible. Giant pandas have the unique ability to connect and unite us. They are a unifying force that helps build bridges of hope for wildlife, people, and the planet we all share. Over the past 30 years, we have shown the world how true conservation partners can rise above all else and create transformative hope. And giant pandas remind us that when we have a shared purpose and commitment, we are more similar than we are different. It’s an honor to be the first organization to welcome giant
2025 Board of Trustees
BY THE NUMBERS
Mighty Efforts for Giant Pandas Giant pandas have long held a special place in the hearts of countless people around the world. With their iconic black-and-white faces and curious, playful nature, these charismatic bears inspire awe and admiration from all who have the chance to fall in love with them. We’re honored to mark their return to the San Diego Zoo and protect them for generations to come.
30
For 30 years we’ve had the honor of working with our conservation partners in China to save, protect, and care for giant pandas.
90
Our efforts, including developing a giant panda milk formula, have increased the survival rate of nursery-reared giant panda cubs from less than 10 percent to over 90 percent.
~12 4 To support the nutritional needs of giant pandas, our teams grow nearly a dozen species of bamboo.
Four times larger than the previous habitat, Panda Ridge takes inspiration from the giant pandas’ native habitats in southwest China.
125
With over 125 combined years of experience, the giant panda care team is committed to providing world-class care. SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 3
Hua Mei
Her birth was the first successful artificial insemination of a giant panda outside of China, and she became the first giant panda cub to survive and thrive in the United States. She went on to welcome 14 cubs and 9 “grandcubs.”
Mei Sheng
When giant pandas Bai Yun and Shi Shi arrived at the San Diego Zoo in 1996, a transformative wave of hope arrived with them. We saw that hope fulfilled with the birth of Hua Mei, and it grew exponentially as Bai Yun welcomed additional cubs. It’s our honor to continue caring for their family as we remember each part of their growing legacy.
Su Lin
Su Lin was the first cub to participate in a giant panda hearing study, and the world learned a great deal about pandas by watching her investigate and scent mark her habitat.
Zhen Zhen
Zhen Zhen brought lots of energy and a feisty spirit. As she got older, she maintained her high energy and often broke tree branches while bouncing on them.
Yun Zi
Nicknamed “Monster” as a little cub, Yun Zi displayed confidence from the start. He was the largest giant panda cub born at the San Diego Zoo, weighing over 235 pounds as an adult.
Xiao Liwu
“Wu Bear” was an independent cub. He made up for his smaller stature with sharp focus and a confident demeanor.
Yun Chuan and Xin Bao
As the grandson of Bai Yun and Gao Gao, Yun Chuan’s presence at the Zoo reminds us of how far we’ve come in a few short decades. Together, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao carry a legacy and a renewed hope that our conservation successes will continue, along with their family tree, for endless generations. 4 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: kynny/iStock/Getty Images Plus; PHOTOS BY: (TOP) SDZWA, Ken Bohn/SDZWA
A Growing Legacy
The first giant panda born to Bai Yun and Gao Gao was a male. As a cub, he would sometimes playfully hang upside down from tree limbs and swing.
Your Support Brings Hope for Their Future We’d like to thank our 2024 partners for collaborating with us to save, protect, and care for wildlife across the globe.
2767 C
Interested in learning more about partnership opportunities? Contact our Business Development team at corppartnerships@sdzwa.org.
HOT TOPICS
FROM THE GROUND UP Vanessa Nevers, AIA, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance architect, outlines the process of planning, designing, and building a new wildlife habitat— and the collaboration required to get it done.
W
hen we first start the habitat design process, there are several key steps that must be taken to ensure we create the best environment possible for wildlife to thrive. This means striving to emulate native habitats to support natural behavior. The common thread throughout the process is communication and collaboration with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance subject matter experts, especially the Wildlife Care and Horticulture teams. In meetings with Wildlife Care, we discuss a range of specific species needs and tendencies. Once the primary habitat goals are established, we start to develop the design in more detail by looking in depth at existing site conditions and exploring opportunities to achieve these priority design objectives. We ask questions, such as “What are the best
locations to create cool microclimates? Which trees and features will facilitate safe climbing behavior? Where do we plan for open areas and densely planted areas?” For giant pandas, we focused on creating cool areas within the habitats with shade trees, pools, and an extensive misting system capable of lowering ambient temperatures by 20 degrees Fahrenheit; selecting trees and natural wood platforms to encourage climbing and elevated lounging; and designing a mix of open and more densely vegetated areas to promote exploration and foraging behavior. The natural topography of the two panda habitats also provided a variety of terrain, from more level lowland areas to steep, mountainous slopes. All of these elements combined worked together to create an experiential approximation of native range
6 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
habitat for the bears at the Zoo. Collaboration with members of the Horticulture team is essential for a successful planting plan. We research what types of vegetation grow in the native habitat, as well as factors such as density of ground cover, understory, and tree canopy. The next step is to identify which of these plants are available and will do well within the climate zone in which the new habitats are located. Several of the plants found in giant pandas’ native habitat are not available here, so for those plants we looked for analogue species that are available and suitable for growing in the microclimate of the Zoo’s Panda Ridge. Once all of the proposed plant species for the habitat are identified, our Nutrition team reviews the list to ensure all of the plants that
PHOTOS BY: Ken Bohn/SDZWA
Xin Bao in a habitat made possible by Kenneth C. Griffin and Peng Zhao. Special thanks to the many donors who helped make Panda Ridge possible and are supporting the care and conservation of giant pandas worldwide.
The natural topography of the two panda habitats provides a variety of terrain.
3
“big picture” goals for habitats
1
ACT NATURALLY Create wildlife habitat experiences that support and encourage natural behavior, such as exploring, foraging, bathing, and nesting.
2
POWER TO CHOOSE go into the habitats are safe for the wildlife. If any of the plants are categorized as not safe due to toxicity or other reasons, they are eliminated from the list. When it comes to creating habitats at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, teamwork doesn’t stop at planning and design; it continues through construction, right up to opening day, and beyond. There are many nuances to building a habitat that don’t always show up on paper. Flexibility and real-time collaborative problem-solving is often needed to find solutions to multifaceted issues that present themselves during construction. Multiple perspectives from different areas of expertise were critical for getting the best possible end result for the giant pandas, Zoo team members, and our guests.
Create opportunities for variety and choice, such as: Shade or sun? Tree perch or den? Moist ground or dry?
3
WILDLIFE AND YOU Connect guests to wildlife by providing the chance to see wildlife engaged in natural behaviors and bringing habitat elements into the guest space. SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 7
8 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
With a Little Help from Our Friends Forging a Sustainable Future for Giant Pandas BY MEGAN OWEN, PH.D., and RON SWAISGOOD, PH.D. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEN BOHN
A
little more than 25 years ago, the outlook for giant pandas was bleak, and the species’ extinction appeared imminent. But thanks to the collaborative efforts of the last three decades, this narrative has changed from a story of decline to one of hope and progress. The improved status of giant pandas is a result of conservationists working together across countries and cultures to turn things around through the generation and application of science-based knowledge and government willpower. At the heart of all this are the partnerships built through mutual respect and shared objectives. And today, with giant pandas downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has renewed efforts to keep the panda on the path to recovery, as it is important for us to remember that although their circumstances have improved, there is still much work to do.
Building Relationships San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s giant panda conservation program began in earnest in 1996 with the arrival of Bai Yun and Shi Shi. This watershed event was celebrated by the zoo-going public, bringing joy to the millions able to see this iconic and charismatic species for the first time. It also led San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to embark on a
SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 9
DID YOU KNOW? Giant pandas have big molar teeth and strong jaws for crushing tough bamboo.
remarkable conservation journey. At that time, fewer than one thousand giant pandas remained in native habitats, and a conservation breeding program was needed as a hedge against extinction and to support future reintroduction, a needed strategy to bolster populations in native habitats. But there was a big problem—breeding pandas in human care had seen limited success. What was needed was an influx of scientific and wildlife care expertise to develop new management strategies for natural breeding, assisted reproductive technologies, and better methods to promote parent rearing by pandas and, when needed, human intervention. Given the state of scientific knowledge about giant pandas at the time, the task seemed impossible. We recognized immediately that—as they say—it was going to take a village. Jump a few years forward, and we had forged a foundation of friendships, partnering with our colleagues at China’s Center for Research and Conservation of the Giant Panda, among others. Working together, we had filled many of the knowledge gaps that were limiting reproductive output (cubs!), health,
and welfare. We also joined a long-term field program with partners in China, adding to our knowledge of understanding and managing populations of pandas living in nature, working with partners like the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences and China West Normal University, and making more friends along the way. We were part of the first team to ever use GPS collars to track pandas, and we made many scientific inroads that informed improved conservation strategies. Back in San Diego, we applied what we learned in China, and vice versa. Close study of the pandas in our care helped with many revelations for improved care and reproduction. We were also pleased to celebrate the birth of six cubs (one from artificial insemination, five from natural mating) at the San Diego Zoo. These cubs matured and returned to China, where they entered the conservation breeding program. This was a remarkable achievement, particularly since at the time of the first cooperative agreement, the global breeding program had not yet reached sustainable levels of reproduction, with mortalities exceeding births.
10 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
Today we know so much more about pandas’ foraging and habitat needs, their mating patterns and reproductive biology, how they communicate with one another, and obstacles to gene flow between fragmented and isolated populations. We also know a lot more about what makes a protected area work to preserve and improve habitats to support pandas. This growing foundation of knowledge made numerous contributions to panda recovery. Of course, our Chinese partners deserve the lion’s (panda’s?) share of credit for saving the panda, because they invested in establishing a network of reserves and implemented many regulations and policies that supported panda conservation. Now, in China, the population in human care has increased nearly fivefold, and the decline of pandas in their native habitat has halted, with populations slowly increasing. Box checked, pandas saved? No, conservation is a bit more complicated than that. Pandas remain conservation-dependent, so we if all walk away now, things are likely to worsen for the panda again.
A New Era of Giant Panda Diplomacy Over the past few years, we began communicating with our colleagues in China to embark on a new cooperative agreement for panda conservation. Things moved along steadily, but then in late fall 2023, “panda diplomacy” moved into high gear, and our planning was greatly accelerated. The positive trajectory and outcome from these discussions was founded on a long history of collaboration and partnership, strong leadership, and an almost symphonic coordination of all needed skills and expertise that San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance could bring to bear. In summer 2024 we welcomed our new pair of giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao. Their arrival has already generated much fanfare and public celebration, but also provided the opportunity for us to once again unite our expertise in wildlife care, health, and conservation science and apply it to the continued recovery of the panda.
A Sustainable Future for the Giant Panda
PHOTO BY: Lorem Ipsum
For our new cooperative agreement, we have proposed a conservation program that is framed by “One Health,” a concept that recognizes that the health of wildlife, people, and the ecosystems they share are inextricably linked. We interpret “health” broadly, reflecting a holistic approach that extends beyond the absence of disease to healthy individuals and populations demonstrating behavioral and reproductive competence, as well as healthy, functional ecosystems. This One Health framework will unite our areas of focus, including the health of individual giant pandas and conservation breeding populations in human care, as well as ensure the health of individuals slated for reintroduction to native habitats and native populations in China. Research conducted here at the San Diego Zoo will provide unparalleled opportunities to develop and validate new technologies and approaches that will support giant panda health in breeding centers and in native habitats and facilitate the development of conservation management strategies for native giant pandas and their changing habitat. Reintroduction of giant pandas into their native habitat is a major strategy to bolster the health of the population and is a primary goal for the conservation breeding of giant pandas. Reintroductions are a powerful tool for bolstering both wildlife populations and genetic diversity. However, despite decades of improvements in the success of conservation breeding
Teamwork for the Future: Leadership from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and China Conservation and Research for Giant Pandas came together in Wolong to celebrate the beginning of a new collaborative agreement for panda conservation.
programs in China, the reintroduction of giant pandas born in human care to their native habitat has moved relatively slowly. With our experience in conservation translocations and by taking advantage of innovations in tracking and monitoring technologies, we hope to help our partners increase the number of reintroductions, bolstering smaller, isolated populations of giant pandas. As for many wildlife species around the world, habitat fragmentation and degradation have been a major threat to giant pandas. The good news is that over the last 30 years, the Chinese government has set aside 70 protected areas for giant pandas. These areas have been critically important for the recovery of the species, and the increase in population numbers over the decades can be largely ascribed to these protected habitats.
However, as some populations are small and isolated, efforts to create connectivity and promote gene flow have come to life with the establishment of Giant Panda National Park, which encompasses and expands all the panda reserves. We will work with our partners in China to understand whether the national park and the protected areas it contains truly do have all that pandas need for healthy growing populations, including old growth trees for maternal dens, healthy stands of bamboo to support nutritional needs, and a minimal amount of disturbance or overlap with human activities, such as agriculture and roads. To contribute to this effort, we will take advantage of advancements in monitoring technologies to “observe” pandas and their habitat remotely.
12 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
The Future Is in Our Hands With our partners in China, we have demonstrated that when we work together, we can achieve what was once thought to be impossible—reversing the decline of giant pandas. And with our partners, we will continue to work tirelessly for their continued recovery, focusing on increasing populations in their native habitats and monitoring the health and functionality of the ecosystems they depend on. Megan Owen, Ph.D., is San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Vice President of Conservation Science, Endowed Benirschke Chair. Ron Swaisgood, Ph.D., is San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Brown Endowed Director of Recovery Ecology.
SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 13
VISUALIZE IT
Bamboo Bears from Top to Bottom Pandas hold a special place in our collective imaginations. Here’s a look at some characteristics that add to their mystique. BY PEGGY SCOTT | ILLUSTRATION BY AMY BLANDFORD
Scientists have identified 12 distinctive sounds that pandas make, including a type of roar, honks, huffs, barks, and growls. Young cubs are known to croak and squeal.
Pandas have the most jaw strength of any bear thanks to all the chewing and manipulating it takes to eat bamboo.
Pandas grasp bamboo stalks using their five digits and an enlarged wrist bone called a “pseudo-thumb.” That little pseudo-thumb adeptly holds and manipulates bamboo.
14 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
Pandas inhabit bamboo forests in the mountains of central China.
Pandas spend at least 12 hours each day eating bamboo.
Can you see me? One theory is that pandas developed their contrasting black and white colors over time so they would stand out in the forest and be able to find each other to mate. Another idea is that the contrasting color blocking may help camouflage pandas in bamboo or treetops.
At only 3 to 5 ounces (think a stick of butter), a newborn panda is about 1,000 times smaller than its mother.
Adult female pandas weigh 155 to 220 pounds; males, 190 to 275 pounds.
Pandas eat a lot, so naturally, they create a lot of waste, too– relieving themselves 40 to 50 times a day.
SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 15
Jaguars & Wildlife of Brazil’s Pantanal SEPTEMBER 29OCTOBER 9, 2025 South America’s greatest wildlife extravaganza, the Pantanal is home to 10 million caiman, 650 bird species, and 100 different mammals.
Join Our Adventures to Brazil or Madagascar in 2025! Small Groups • Dedicated Hosts • Amazing Wildlife • Awe-Inspiring Locations
Madagascar Wildlife Adventure AUGUST 8–20, 2025 Marvel at majestic baobab trees and look for all the different species of lemurs on this exotic adventure!
Book now! For details about these trips and all our Adventures, visit adventures.sdzwa.org. Photos: (Top) Provided by Natural Habitat Adventures, (Bottom) SDZWA
MEET OUR TEAM to others in such an efficient and distant way put so many things into perspective.
What core principles shape your wildlife care practices? I think it’s simply choice and complexity. We create and drive natural behaviors we would see in wildlife’s native range. We shape our programs on the idea that wildlife make choices based on experiences, seasonality, and life moments gained over time. They are cued to make those choices by sensory inputs like hearing, sights, and smells, and those choices can lead to a significant number of positive behavior outcomes.
How do you want to see wildlife care evolve in the future?
I always liked having a connection with nature, and was always fascinated by how ecosystems work, but I think I was initially inspired by my visits to this zoo as a kid. That inspiration continues to be reinforced by the Wildlife Care team and the role we get the chance to play in global conservation.
Which species spark your curiosity the most and why?
GREG VICINO Vice President of Wildlife Care San Diego Zoo
As vice president of wildlife care for the San Diego Zoo, Greg Vicino ensures all wildlife and wildlife care teams at the Zoo have what they need to thrive. He shapes their approach to applied wildlife care and leads their team mission, philosophy, and culture.
Too many to name, but I am currently fascinated with bats. From tiny nocturnal insectivores to giant fruit bats, I love the ecological niche they fill, and how successful they are in some of the most difficult environments. I appreciate how they have solidly occupied the same space with people, and most of us never notice. Bats are suffering globally from the impacts of human influence and should be brought to light as a species we admire enough to protect.
Can you describe an experience that shaped your approach to wildlife care? The first time I saw elephants [in native habitats] communicating with each other from miles away really refined my approach to signals and how wildlife use them to make decisions. The idea that so much vital information could be passed from one individual
I think we need to continue to evolve from the routine inputs that are either simple, reliable, or safe and take some more risks, creating comprehensive experiences for wildife to engage organically with their environments.
Can you share a recent success that you’re proud of? Absolutely! Our curator of mammals, Nicki Boyd, was just selected to chair the red panda Saving Animals From Extinction program for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. She has spent years working toward meaningful red panda conservation as a board member with the Red Panda Network, and now she has been recognized by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums as a massive partner in their conservation.
How do you hope to inspire the next generation of wildlife conservationists? By exposing them to the full breadth of what we do, from the basic understanding of behavior and the nuance of applied welfare programs all the way to the details of international treaties and intergovernmental cooperative programs. I think the next generation will be better equipped if we are humble enough to share our challenges for the betterment of the future.
SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 17
PHOTO BY: (Top) Ken Bohn/SDZWA
What inspired you to pursue a career in wildlife care?
At the Root of Feeding Pandas
S
oaring into the air with an immediately distinguishable silhouette, few plants are more instantly recognizable than bamboo, and few partnerships between plant and animal more iconic. In almost all pictures, videos, and paintings, giant pandas and bamboo are inseparable. However, their partnership goes beyond
18 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
the aesthetic and has a very real, practical value in giant panda conservation efforts. Ensuring giant pandas have a high-quality, dependable, nutritious food source is both a paramount and an extremely complicated task. It takes planning, scientific research, an interdisciplinary team, and dedicated boots on the ground to make it happen.
PHOTO BY: Ken Bohn/SDZWA
BY ADAM GRAVES
Dinner is served: Giant pandas spend at least 12 hours each day eating bamboo. They grasp the bamboo stalks using their five digits and an enlarged wrist bone called a “pseudo-thumb.”
SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 19
produce new growth once per year. This new growth (called “shoots”) emerges from the ground as spears, reaching maximum height and then developing side branches to become a new bamboo forest almost overnight. For some species of bamboo, this “shooting season” can be quite dramatic, and established bamboo groves can produce thousands of new shoots within a few short months. In fact, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, with some species capable of growing several feet in a single day. A common saying among bamboo growers is that bamboo “sleeps, creeps, then leaps,” referring to how it can be slow to establish new plantings, but then expands exponentially as it builds up momentum. This unique quality of bamboo coincidentally helps produce the annual volume needed to feed several giant pandas. At the inception of the program in 1996, the Zoo planted several large groves of desirable bamboo species years ahead of time to allow them to mature and establish. What might be surprising is that the vast majority of the bamboo was planted at the Safari Park due to the acreage
20 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
required for such a vital food source. Fast forward to today, and we now have over six farmed acres of bamboo, with multiple species available to offer on a daily basis.
Sharing the Bounty The species we grow have evocative names like golden bamboo, yellow groove, and Japanese arrow bamboo, and have been specially chosen for long-term production, nutrition, and palatability. Having these established bamboo groves has been critical to our success in the giant panda program, but we are also able to provide other species of bamboo from our ornamental plantings for novelty and diversity. This established resource helped us impact conservation beyond our borders as well, as we saw in 2020 when COVID-19 disrupted bamboo deliveries for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada. When they were unable to receive bamboo shipments from their primary supplier to support their giant pandas, we collaborated to find a way to ship hundreds of pounds of bamboo weekly for several PHOTOS BY: (this page) Tammy Spratt/SDZWA, (opposite page, left) Ken Bohn/SDZWA, (opposite page, right) Tammy Spratt/SDZWA
Think Globally, Plant Locally Luckily, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance already has a long and successful history with both pandas and bamboo. Our first recorded bamboos were planted over 50 years ago as part of our botanical collection, and the numbers have steadily grown ever since. Today we have an accredited bamboo collection that spans both the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. It contains over 130 species from around the world, with some only a few inches tall and others topping 70 feet. While often thought of as a predominantly Asian plant, bamboo is actually quite widespread throughout the world. Native to five continents, bamboo can be found from humid forests in Chile to the savannas of Ethiopia, with the family conservatively containing over a thousand different species and counting. While sometimes referred to as a tree, bamboos are actually in the grass family and share many physiological similarities with other grasses. They spread through rhizomes (an underground stem that grows horizontally through the soil) and only
months and keep their pandas thriving. Once global supply lines were reestablished, we were able to help them transition back to their own suppliers.
“Farm to Table” for Pandas When we first heard that giant pandas would be returning to the Zoo, our browse teams immediately sprang into action, preparing our bamboo groves for our new wildlife. Our staff at both locations include world-class browse specialists, who grow and manage specialized plants specifically to feed Zoo and Safari Park wildlife. Some of our efforts involved improving soil fertility with organic material and laboratory testing of leaf material to ensure optimum nutrition. We also worked closely with our Chinese partners to identify which species of bamboo would be ideal for our incoming bears based on their personal and natural history. Each bear in our care is unique and has personal preferences, so having the right offerings
today, while planning for the future, is an important part of the process. We then worked closely with the Wildlife Care team to review selection, harvest, and delivery logistics. During the daily harvest, each stalk of bamboo is individually selected for quality and maturity by our browse team and hand-cut to promote overall grove health. The bamboo is then processed into 3- to 4-foot lengths and bundled together by species before being delivered in a cooler for Wildlife Care use. The bamboo bundles are stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and kept misted to extend freshness and palatability. These bespoke bundles of bamboo are offered to the bears multiple times a day so they can focus on what they do best: napping and eating. All of this comes together to create a comprehensive “farm to table” browse program for our hungry wildlife. Animal health and welfare starts with a superior
food source, so by providing this day in and day out, the rest of the team can remain focused on the amazing and challenging work of conserving this amazing species. When you visit Panda Ridge and see Xin Bao and Yun Chuan happily eating away, don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the amazing bamboos we have from around the world that make their lunch possible! Adam Graves is director of horticulture for the San Diego Zoo.
Dental plan: Pandas use their teeth to peel off the tough outer layers to reveal the soft inner tissue of the stalk. Strong jawbones and cheek muscles help pandas crush and chew the thick stalks with their flattened back teeth. SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 21
DID YOU KNOW? Each panda has markings that are slightly different from any another panda.
22 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
Panda Health Ensuring the Well-being of Black-and-White Bears BY HENDRIK NOLLENS, DVM, MSc, PH.D., AND MEG SUTHERLAND-SMITH, DVM PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEN BOHN
S
an Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s journey caring for giant pandas began 30 years ago, when a partnership with China was established to bring a pair of the black-and-white bears to the San Diego Zoo. Over the course of that partnership, six giant panda cubs were born. Between 2018 and 2019 our two adults, Gao Gao and Bai Yun, as well as their last offspring, Xiao Liwu, were returned to China. The information on giant panda reproduction that was generated by the San Diego Zoo team became instrumental for informing the conservation breeding of giant pandas. And the experience and knowledge surrounding giant panda health and husbandry gained between 1996 and 2019 has been invaluable in preparing for Xin Bao and Yun Chuan’s arrival to the San Diego Zoo.
Laying the Groundwork Preparations started months before the giant pandas’ arrival and included reviewing our health protocols and engaging in extensive communications with the team from the Chinese Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP). A team of veterinarians had the incredible opportunity to travel to China in May 2024 to participate in the pre-transfer health examinations of
Xin Bao and Yun Chuan at the Bifengxia Panda Base. Both pandas received a thorough hands-on physical examination, radiographs, ultrasound, and collection of samples for laboratory analyses. It was extremely helpful to be a part of these exams and assess their health in preparation for their arrival, as well as rekindle old and start new friendships with our Chinese giant panda conservation colleagues. After Xin Bao and Yun Chuan’s arrival, our priority was providing opportunities for the two pandas to become acquainted with their new homes. They were given the time and the space to explore and experience their surroundings, ready their appetites for some novel species of bamboo, and develop bonds with their wildlife care specialists. During their acclimation period, wildlife care specialists, veterinarians, and nutritionists closely monitored and scrutinized many parameters, such as behavior, body weights, food consumption, and fecal output, of our new Zoo residents. In addition to redeploying our in-house expertise, two Chinese colleagues, Huang Shan, giant panda care specialist, and veterinarian Dr. Ling Shanshan accompanied Xin Bao and Yun Chuan from China to San Diego. Shan had been caring for Xin Bao and
Yun Chuan prior to their departure from China and has a strong bond with the pandas. They stayed in San Diego for three months to assist with the care of our new pair of giant pandas. Both Xin Bao and Yun Chuan acclimated smoothly to their habitats in Panda Ridge.
Establishing a Routine Caring for giant pandas includes a robust set of preventive measures for monitoring the bears’ health and establishing baseline normal parameters. Xin Bao and Yun Chuan received their annual vaccinations during their pre-shipment health evaluations prior to leaving China. Because San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance veterinarians were able to participate in the pre-transfer examinations of Xin Bao and Yun Chuan and there were no health concerns, quarantine examinations under anesthesia upon arrival in San Diego could be avoided. Instead, both giant pandas will receive routine evaluations under cooperation and under anesthesia, including computed tomography (CT) scans, to further document their current health status as a baseline for future health evaluations. Giant pandas are generally predisposed to developing dental wear, osteoarthritis,
SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 23
Bai Yun A Living Legacy: Bai Yun lived at the San Diego Zoo for 23 years, during which she gave birth to six cubs fathered by two mates, Shi Shi and Gao Gao. Some of those bears have also reproduced, making Bai Yun a grandmother of more than 16.
and cardiovascular disease, especially with advancing age. As Xin Bao and Yun Chuan are young, we anticipate uncovering very few and only minor health problems until they start to age. Documenting their baseline health status while young and healthy allows veterinarians to recognize and track medical conditions as they begin to develop.
A Complete Panda Health Plan Another important part of our preventive care program for giant pandas involves guiding behaviors to facilitate a variety of medical evaluations. Fortunately, giant pandas are quick learners. Xin Bao and Yun Chuan had already become accustomed to participating in blood sample collection in China, as this is a routine procedure in the giant panda care in the CCRCGP facilities. This allows blood samples to be collected without restraint. The results of the blood analyses then indicate if further examination is warranted.
We are supporting additional behaviors to facilitate other medical procedures. Vascular hypertension has been diagnosed in giant pandas. While hypertension is generally reported in older giant pandas, establishing baseline measurements in younger animals is helpful in monitoring trends over time. Therefore, we provide opportunities for Xin Bao and Yun Chuan to participate in various facets of their health care. Just as oral health is important for people, it is equally important for wildlife. Our giant pandas voluntarily open their mouths and allow wildlife care specialists and veterinarians to visualize their dentition and assess for dental wear. This type of cooperation is also essential in facilitating behaviors to monitor reproductive physiology in giant pandas. Procedures include collection of samples for estrus monitoring and transabdominal ultrasound for estrus, pregnancy detection, and fetal monitoring. Xin Bao’s behaviors will be shaped to allow these evaluations without
24 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
any form of restraint. So much more is known about the health of giant pandas than 30 years ago because of collaborative work with our Chinese colleagues, as well as at other institutions outside of China. However, these amazing black-and-white bears still have much to share! We look forward to being on this lifelong health journey with Xin Bao and Yun Chuan. As with our prior giant panda residents, we will leverage any health insights gained from them toward understanding the health of giant pandas in native habitats in China. Exactly how we will do that is a story for another time!
Hendrik Nollens, DVM, MSc, Ph.D., is vice president of wildlife health for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Meg Sutherland-Smith, DVM, is director of veterinary services for the San Diego Zoo.
Mei Sheng
Su Lin
Zhen Zhen
Yun Zi
Xiao Liwu
PHOTO BY: Lorem Ipsum
Hua Mei
EVENTS
&
JANUARY FEBRUARY
OFFERED DAILY Wildlife Wonders During Wildlife Wonders at the Zoo’s Wegeforth Bowl amphitheater, presented daily at 2 p.m., wildlife care specialists will introduce you to wildlife ambassadors representing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work around the world. Learn about amazing wildlife—from the Amazon to right here in our own backyard in San Diego—and find out what everyone can do to help conserve wildlife and the world we all share. The presentation runs 15 to 20 minutes. (Z)
SAN DIEGO ZOO FEBRUARY 1–2
Lunar New Year at the Zoo
This Lunar New Year, celebrate good fortune at the Zoo! You can experience Wild Weekend: Asia, an exploration of this dynamic ecosystem and its incredible wildlife—including everyone’s favorite black-and-white bears, giant pandas! Special Lunar New Year activities, surprises, and more are planned. For more information, visit sdzwa.org/lunarnewyear. (Z) JANUARY 17 AND FEBRUARY 21 Plant Day and Orchid Odyssey On these special days, guests can take a rare look inside the Zoo’s Orchid Greenhouse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., learn about the Zoo’s botanical collection on the Botanical Bus Tour at 11 a.m. and noon, and check out the Carnivorous Plant Greenhouse from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A variety of plants grown by Horticulture staff will be available at the Plant Sale, happening in front of the Orchid Greenhouse entrance from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Z)
26 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
FO R M E M B E RS JANUARY 5 AND FEBRUARY 2 Member Exclusive Early Hours Rise and shine with the sights and sounds of the San Diego Zoo. One Sunday each month, qualifying members* can enter the Zoo one hour before the general public. To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m. *Excludes memberships with blockout dates. (Z) EVERY DAY Wild PerksSM San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are eligible for Wild PerksSM. Show your membership card each time you make a purchase and save up to 20%, depending on your membership level. Some exclusions apply; for details, visit sdzwa.org /membership/wild-perks. (Z)
OFFERED DAILY Journey into the Wild Join our wildlife care specialist team as they introduce you to wildlife ambassadors representing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s conservation work in our Amazonia and Savanna Conservation Hubs and right here in our own backyard in the Southwest. This compelling conservation presentation begins at 2 p.m. daily at Benbough Amphitheater. (P) OFFERED DAILY Wildlife Safari Travel into expansive savanna habitats in the back of an open-air safari truck with an expert guide. Book online at sdzsafaripark.org/safaris or call (619) 718-3000. (P)
January Hours* San Diego Zoo 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
February Hours* San Diego Zoo 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
SAFARI PARK F E B R U A RY 1 –2
Lunar New Year at the Safari Park
This Lunar New Year, celebrate good fortune at the Safari Park! You can experience Wild Weekend: Asia, an exploration of this dynamic ecosystem and its incredible wildlife. Special Lunar New Year activities, surprises, and more are planned. For more information, visit sdzwa.org/lunarnewyear. (P) FEBRUARY 1–28 Seniors Free at the Safari Park Seniors ages 65 and older get free admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park through the entire month of February. For full details, visit sdzsafaripark.org. (P)
FO R M E M B E RS JANUARY 5 AND 16 FEBRUARY 2 AND 20 Member Exclusive Early Hours Rise and shine with the sights and sounds of the Safari Park. Select days each month, members can enter the Safari Park one hour before the general public. To join us, simply present your membership card at the main entrance beginning at 8 a.m. (P) EVERY DAY Wild PerksSM San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance members are eligible for Wild SM Perks . Show your membership card each time you make a purchase and save up to 20%, depending on your membership level. Some exclusions apply; for details, visit sdzwa.org /membership/wild-perks. (P)
sdzwa.org
(619) 231-1515 *Programs and dates are subject to change—please check our website for the latest information. (Z) = San Diego Zoo (P) = Safari Park
27
Visit the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers website to find out about these and other animals, plus videos, crafts, stories, games, and more! SDZWildlifeExplorers.org
Finding the Right Words Not only are giant pandas found in the forests of China, they are also hidden in the grid of words below! In the puzzle below, there are 15 panda-related terms. Can you find them? Remember to look up and down, forward and backward, and even diagonally. Ready, set, search!
GIANT PANDA BEAR CUB BAMBOO CHINA FOREST BLACK AND WHITE MAMMAL PSEUDO-THUMB YUN CHUAN XIN BAO VULNERABLE PANDA RIDGE SOLITARY
V V Y J C J P D S X P V S D X L A U B A S MU K Z A C T B B C T Q L F O R E S T N X GHQ H MW U N Y J B S S D C D P Y I E O S B E WG A D A D I O H N C K Y K P R L J B C X F K B A Y B L A C K A N DWH I T E A U M A MM A L B K Z F M B S GN J R I C D X A L GQM E O I C L U R R E L MR E L Q A L A H N Y V C K V B I C C C R I N U P P S E U DO T H UM B T T A C Q K B I B O E KWU V A E N U P A N D A R I D G E O R K I B MO F V X I N B A O C Y
28 / SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE JOURNAL / JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
LAST LOOK
Bai Yun, the San Diego Zoo’s panda matriarch, was the first female cub born at China’s Wolong Giant Panda Research Center. She came to San Diego in 1996. Over the next 23 years, she would give birth to six beautiful cubs and claim a place in millions of hearts before returning to China in 2019. Photographed by Ken Bohn, SDZWA Photographer SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE / SDZWA.ORG / 29
JOURNAL
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance PO Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112
Be part of the
FUTURE OF CONSERVATION by making your gift today! When you give today, you will support San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in providing care for Yun Chuan and Xin Bao while we further our conservation programs that secure the future for all giant pandas. Everything we do to save, protect, and care for wildlife around the world is only possible with the generosity of friends like you. Please join us in securing the future for wildlife, communities, and the natural places we all share. Your donation today is essential in creating a world where all life thrives.
Donate online at sdzwa.org/supportwildlife or scan QR code.