Japan-China Joint Research on Giant Panda Breeding

Sea and Land Panda Exhibit Held in 1988: The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding was founded in March 1987 to protect giant pandas in captivity. The facility required international support, and Adventure World took part in fund-raising efforts for it. Later in 1988, in celebration of both the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China, and of the park's foundation, we signed a short-term loan exhibition contract with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens with the help of the Japan-China Friendship Association and Wakayama Prefecture and with the agreement of the Chinese government. In 1988, two giant pandas, Chenchen and Qingqing, arrived in the park from Chengdu Zoo in Sichuan, China. For three months until January 1989, the Sea and Land Panda Exhibit was held at the park, allowing guests to see these rare animals, and we began conservation awareness activities to increase understanding of endangered species.

Improving Breeding and Rearing Rates in Captivity Becomes an Urgent Necessity: In 1980, of the 99 pandas kept in captivity around the world, 92 were from the wild, and only a mere seven were being bred in captivity. In 1990, the number of pandas bred in captivity grew to 27, but with the death of some of the individuals from the wild, the total number in captivity hardly grew, remaining around 100. There was an urgent need to improve breeding and rearing rates in captivity.

Road to Approval from the Chinese Government: Then, in 1994, permission was granted for the import of giant pandas. In September that same year, two pandas arrived at the park from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, and the world's first long-term joint breeding studies of giant pandas between China and foreign zoos began. The Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens established the Giant Panda Breeding Technology Committee in 1989 and organized research on the breeding of giant pandas. In support of Chinese giant panda breeding research, Japan has sent staff to China each year for the committee’s conferences.

Eimei and Youhin Come for the World's First International Breeding Research: The specimens for this experiment were selected after deliberations in China from those born in captivity as they were deemed meeting criteria for breeding pairs. The two selected were young, 2-year-old pandas named Eimei (male) and Youhin (female). Youhin's name was made from a combination of the short-form character for Chengdu and the second character for Shirahama. After it was decided that she would be sent to the park, she was given the name. The male, Eimei, born in the Beijing Zoo, was selected based on Youhin's age and pedigree. Then, in September 1994, the two pandas arrived at Adventure World as part of the world's first international breeding research. Due to the couple's young age on arrival, efforts at the time focused on adaptation to their new environment, food research, and awareness-raising activities. But soon after the full-fledged breeding research started, Youhin passed away in July 1997, and research came to a stop. After discussions with the relevant ministries and agencies in China and Japan regarding the continuation of the research project, it was decided that another female with the experience of giving birth, Meimei, would be introduced. In July 2000, Meimei at last arrived safely at the park. From here, breeding research kicked off once again.

Changes in the number of breeding pandas

- 1976-1985・・・・・
Efforts to protect pandas are made after they are seen to die from blooming and withering of bamboo

-1987・・・・・・・・・・・・・
Two conservation facilities are established in China
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Giant Panda Conservation Research Center in China

-1994・・・・・・・・・・・・・
Adventure World begins Japan-China joint research project on giant panda breeding