Japan-China Joint Research on Giant Panda Breeding

We invited experts from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda
Breeding in China to discuss the state of breeding research today
and exchange opinions on the future.

In celebration of Adventure World's 40th anniversary in 2019, we hosted in Shirahama the first Japan-China Joint Research on Giant Panda Breeding Symposium open to the public. Three experts from the Chengdu research base were invited to deliver lectures on the rearing of pandas, the history and current state of conservation efforts for wild pandas, and health management and disease prevention. Despite the technical nature of the presentation, an audience of 270 people joined and showed great interest in the conservation of giant pandas. The governor of Wakayama, mayor of Shirahama, and other prefectural and local public figures also paid visit, further deepening exchanges at the event. All ticket fees for the event were donated to the Chengdu research base to be used for panda conservation efforts.

[Lecture 1]
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The 30 Years of Panda Ex-situ Conservation and Japan-China Joint Effort Results
Dr. Zhang Zhihe (head researcher and secretary)
Report on their achievements in the research on breeding, conservation education and tourism, which they have accomplished as the primary research institution for the panda ex-situ conservation project for more than 30 years

[Lecture 2]
Day-to-day health management and disease control for giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Veterinarian and Associate Researcher Luo Li (Animal Disease Control Department supervisor)
Report on developments and challenges in panda health management based on actual cases

[Lecture 3]
The State of Giant Pandas Today
Doctor and Researcher Qi Dunwu (Research Center supervisor)
Report on the conditions of wild pandas today and current conservation efforts in China

[Round-table Discussion]
Subject: The future of giant pandas
Panelists: Doctors Zhang Zhihe and Qi Dunwu
Veterinarian Luo Li (Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding)
Park Director Koji Imazu and Executive Committee Chair Tatsuko Nakao (Adventure World)

I think the Chinese researchers must have taken a tremendous amount of effort to pursue their studies and earn appreciation for the research through the exchanges across the national border. I would never have known there is still so much to learn if I hadn't listened to this lecture. I now want to do what I can to help us grow our panda populations and allow these adorable living treasures to live on into the future.
I now understand that the panda breeding success at Adventure World today is thanks to the cooperation of researchers from China. I also learned about Chinese panda conservation initiatives. This is an excellent show of friendship between the two countries.
I greatly appreciate this opportunity to learn about the latest research on giant pandas described in Japanese by the guests from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The lectures explained everything I wanted to know about the latest giant panda research and techniques.