Research | Giant Panda Conservation Joint Project Site

We've been actively conducting research, including the world's first simultaneous rearing of twin pandas,
winter births, and husbandry training.

Care focused on bamboo

By reviewing the giant pandas' diet and focusing on bamboo, we've been able to manage their care in a healthy state, almost entirely avoiding digestive system illnesses.

Health management incorporating
husbandry training

To ensure health management with minimal stress on the animals and early detection of illnesses, we've been using husbandry training since 2008. We apply it in many ways, including examinations and breeding.

Giant Panda Estrous and Mating

One reason panda breeding is so tricky is that the window for mating is super short—only 2-3 days a year! Plus, since they live alone, males and females don't get many chances to meet during this crucial time. Here at our park, we're all about natural breeding, so we collect tons of data to figure out the perfect mating period.

Winter Births

Pandas usually go into estrus in spring and give birth from summer to early autumn, but sometimes they have babies out of season in winter! We observe these winter births to help with our breeding research.

Estimating Birth Dates

Predicting the birth date is super important for managing the care of the mom and cub in the early stages. Here at our park, we estimate birth dates by looking at three key indicators based on past cases.

World's First Simultaneous Rearing of Twin Pandas in Captivity

Back in the 1980s, even though pandas had a high chance (45%) of giving birth to twins, they could only raise one cub, which meant the survival rate for panda cubs was super low, around 35%. So, improving the survival rate for twins was a huge challenge.

Successful Rearing of Low-Weight Cubs

Here at our park, a panda cub was born in August 2018 weighing only 75g and with a body temperature of 31.5℃ – pretty low! Staff from both Japan and China worked together all day to care for the cub and its mom, and we successfully raised it.

Our Research Presentations

Our research activities in giant panda care, breeding, and veterinary medicine are regularly reported at various conferences, including those hosted by the China Giant Panda Breeding Technical Committee and, in Japan, by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA).