Symposium held to develop Giant Panda Research Project

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has announced that they are gathering some of the world’s experts together in an effort to develop a five-year Giant Panda Research Project.

The Giant Panda Research Symposium, which will be held at Edinburgh Zoo from September 10–12, will focus on developing a research plan.

It is hoped that the plan will have an impact upon how giant pandas are cared for in zoos and in Chinese reserves.

The plan will focus on five key areas: field ecology, genetic management, artificial breeding and infant panda care, veterinary management and research and cognitive evolution and behavioural research.

Many experts will attend the event including those from RZSS, the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), China Conservation and Research for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP), the Chinese Academy of Science and Peking University.

There will also be key individuals from panda zoos, including experts from Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Memphis Zoo and the San Diego Institute for Conservation Research.

Chris West, CEO of the RZSS, said: “This really is ground-breaking research at which RZSS is at the heart. The symposium underlines the society’s aim to continue to be a world leader in conservation, science and education.”

Image courtesy of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland