HISTORY | Giant Panda Conservation Project Site

1988: "Panda Exhibition of Sea and Land" Held: In March 1987, the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base was set up to protect giant pandas in captivity. Since they needed international help, Adventure World joined in to support them. Then, in 1988, which was both the 10th anniversary of the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship and our park's 10th anniversary, we got help from the Japan-China Friendship Association and Wakayama Prefecture, plus approval from the Chinese government. This led to us signing a short-term loan agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens. That same year, two giant pandas, "Chenchen" and "Qingqing," came to our park from Chengdu Zoo in Sichuan Province. For three months until January 1989, we hosted the "Panda Exhibition of Sea and Land" at the park. This gave our guests a chance to see these amazing pandas and kicked off our efforts to raise awareness about animals facing extinction.

It became super important to improve breeding and survival rates for pandas in captivity.: Back in 1980, there were only 99 pandas in captivity worldwide. A whopping 92 of them were wild-born, and only 7 had actually been bred in captivity. By 1990, the number of captive-bred pandas grew to 27, but sadly, because some wild-born pandas brought into captivity passed away, the total number stayed around 100. So, it became super urgent to boost both the breeding and survival rates for pandas in captivity.

The Journey to Getting Approval from the Chinese Government: Finally, in 1994, we got the green light to bring in giant pandas! That September, two pandas from the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base arrived at our park, marking the start of the world's first long-term joint giant panda conservation project between China and an overseas zoo. The Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens had already set up the Giant Panda Breeding Technology Committee in 1989, getting giant panda breeding research organized. To help with China's panda breeding studies, Japan sends staff to their committee meetings every year. When our first pandas arrived, they were only two years old, so we spent time helping them adjust to their new home, researching their diet, and raising public awareness. But sadly, in July 1997, just as we were gearing up for serious breeding research, "Youhin" passed away, and our research had to pause. After lots of talks with government agencies in both China and Japan, we decided to bring in "Meimei," a female panda who had already given birth. In July 2000, "Meimei" safely arrived at our park, and our breeding research was able to kick off again!

"Eimei" and "Youhin" Arrive for the World's First International Breeding Research: After talking it over with our Chinese partners, we decided on two young pandas for our breeding research: "Eimei" (male) and "Youhin" (female), both 2 years old. They met all the requirements, like being born in captivity and being a good match for breeding. "Youhin"'s name combines "Rong" (short for Chengdu City) and "Hin" from Shirahama, and she got it when her move to our park was confirmed. For the male, "Eimei," who was born at Beijing Zoo, was chosen because of "Youhin"'s age and family line. So, in September 1994, these two pandas arrived at our park for the world's first international breeding research! Since they were so young, we first focused on helping them get used to their new home, studying their diet, and doing public awareness activities. But sadly, in July 1997, just as we were ready to really dive into breeding research, "Youhin" passed away, and the research had to stop. After that, we had more discussions with government agencies in China and Japan about continuing the research, and we decided to bring in "Meimei," a female who had already given birth. In July 2000, "Meimei" safely arrived at our park, and our breeding research was able to get back on track!

Changes in the Number of Pandas in Captivity

※1987...................
Two Conservation Research Facilities Open in China
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda