The reporter learned from the Qinling Giant Panda Breeding Research Center of the Shaanxi Academy of Forestry on the 23rd that the female panda An An of the center showed estrus behavior in mid-March. After close monitoring by scientific researchers, several trials were carried out, on March 17, the male panda, for the first time, Er’lang and Qizai successfully completed natural mating.
According to reports, relatively few male giant pandas participate in natural breeding under captive conditions, while natural breeding has a higher conception rate than artificial breeding. The breeding of male giant panda species that can reproduce naturally has a very important role in the construction of giant panda artificial populations.
Beginning in 2019, the center’s scientific researchers have begun work on male panda nutrition adjustments, physical training and breeding facility renovations, and strengthened male and female giant panda information exchanges and house exchanges during the giant panda breeding season, and mastered female giant pandas through reproductive hormone monitoring. Estrus change trend, simulate the breeding characteristics of wild giant pandas and carry out trial and match.
Er’lang and Qizai are both pure-breed Qinling giant pandas, which have extremely high genetic value. The brown giant panda Qizai is more genetically unique. The successful natural breeding of the two giant pandas marks a breakthrough in the breeding of giant panda species in Shaanxi Province, and the artificial breeding system of the giant pandas in Qinling has matured.
It is reported that the center can participate in breeding 10 female pandas and 5 male pandas by 2020. So far, the center has successfully completed the breeding of 2 female pandas.
