 |
|
To catch a panda
December 11, 2007EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University's panda habitat research team has spent years collecting mountains of data aimed at understanding and saving giant pandas. Now a graduate student is working to catch crucial data that's black, white and furry.
Vanessa Hull, 25, a Ph.D. candidate, is in the snowy, remote mountains of the Sichuan Province of China - which also is the heart of panda habitat. She's hoping to capture, collar and track up to four wild pandas using advanced global positioning systems.
Hull, a student in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is among the first since the 1990s in this crucial area to obtain permits to trap the pandas and fit them with GPS collars. She and the team will map where these elusive creatures go, effectively letting the pandas tell the researchers the habitat they like best.
"Reintroducing captive pandas into the wild is a very difficult process because pandas in captivity aren't used to be in wild, they don't have the survival skills," Hull said. "The researchers in China want to collaborate with us closely."
Scientists can mesh what the pandas tell them with that mountain of data. It can help them identify the most hospitable panda neighborhoods, learn how to preserve those and create more.
"We are very excited about this new project. It will generate lots of long-awaited important information about panda biology, behavior and interactions with human activities," says Jianguo "Jack" Liu, Hull's major adviser, Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability and University Distinguished Professor of fisheries and wildlife.
For the past dozen years, the MSU Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, led by Liu, painstakingly has gathered and crunched data on the pandas' habitat, in collaboration with Professor Zhiyun Ouyang at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director Hemin Zhang at Wolong Nature Reserve.
With support from the National Science Foundation, NASA, National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources, the scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries on the give-and-take between panda and human survival in the bamboo jungles, mountains and farmland of the Wolong Nature Reserve, home of the famous panda research and breeding center.
The giant pandas are the darlings of their native China and the world. But walk through panda habitat and they're invisible. Pandas are endangered. Estimates of panda numbers in the wild range from 1,600 to 3,000.
Pandas are particular. Nonnegotiable to the panda is a home that offers lots of choice bamboo, mature trees strong enough to hold a napping panda, ideal temperature and a comfy slope.
Pandas share their home, even in reserves, with people locked in their own struggle to survive. The logging and farming that provides humans heat for their homes and income to survive has wiped out acres of panda-friendly terrain.
Recent history is steeped in irony. China's efforts to save the pandas have made the nature reserves an irresistible tourist attraction. Panda fans on ecotourism trips flock like groupies. This commerce and development degrades panda habitat.
Michigan State University
"Reintroducing captive pandas into the wild is a very difficult process because pandas in captivity aren't used to be in wild, they don't have the survival skills," Hull said. "The researchers in China want to collaborate with us closely."
Scientists can mesh what the pandas tell them with that mountain of data. It can help them identify the most hospitable panda neighborhoods, learn how to preserve those and create more.
"We are very excited about this new project. It will generate lots of long-awaited important information about panda biology, behavior and interactions with human activities," says Jianguo "Jack" Liu, Hull's major adviser, Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability and University Distinguished Professor of fisheries and wildlife.
For the past dozen years, the MSU Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, led by Liu, painstakingly has gathered and crunched data on the pandas' habitat, in collaboration with Professor Zhiyun Ouyang at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director Hemin Zhang at Wolong Nature Reserve.
With support from the National Science Foundation, NASA, National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources, the scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries on the give-and-take between panda and human survival in the bamboo jungles, mountains and farmland of the Wolong Nature Reserve, home of the famous panda research and breeding center.
The giant pandas are the darlings of their native China and the world. But walk through panda habitat and they're invisible. Pandas are endangered. Estimates of panda numbers in the wild range from 1,600 to 3,000.
Pandas are particular. Nonnegotiable to the panda is a home that offers lots of choice bamboo, mature trees strong enough to hold a napping panda, ideal temperature and a comfy slope.
Pandas share their home, even in reserves, with people locked in their own struggle to survive. The logging and farming that provides humans heat for their homes and income to survive has wiped out acres of panda-friendly terrain.
Recent history is steeped in irony. China's efforts to save the pandas have made the nature reserves an irresistible tourist attraction. Panda fans on ecotourism trips flock like groupies. This commerce and development degrades panda habitat.
Michigan State University
Giant Panda Current Events and Giant Panda News RSS'Deadly dozen' reports diseases worsened by climate change
Health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society today released a report that lists 12 pathogens that could spread into new regions as a result of climate change, with potential impacts to both human and wildlife health and global economies.
National Zoo giant panda pregnancy update
Scientists at the Smithsonian's National Zoo detected a secondary rise in urinary progestin levels in the Zoo's female giant panda Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) earlier this month.
Beijing Genomics Institute adds AB SOLiD system to its next generation sequencing technologies
The Beijing Genomics Institute announced today that BGI has added Applied Biosystems SOLiD System to BGI's rapidly expanding next-generation sequencing technologies.
Giant panda genome to be sequenced
Cardiff University is contributing to the first genome project to assist conservation efforts for an endangered species.
Science, not romance, controls mating at Smithsonian's National Zoo
This Valentine's Day, Cupid won't be making a stop at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Unlike the spontaneous attraction that most humans equate with love and romance, mating and dating at the National Zoo is planned, strategic and science-based-quite an unromantic encounter.
Marrying natural and social sciences for Mother Earth's sake
No one says marriage is easy - but an international group of 16 natural scientists and social scientists, including three from Michigan State University, are saying the wedding of natural sciences and social sciences is called for.
Giant panda can survive
The giant panda is not at an "evolutionary dead end" and could have a long term viable future, according to new research involving scientists from Cardiff University.
UI anthropologist, colleagues discover remains of earliest giant panda
Although it may sound like an oxymoron, a University of Iowa anthropologist and his colleagues report the first discovery of a skull from a "pygmy-sized" giant panda -- the earliest-known ancestor of the giant panda -- that lived in south China some two million years ago.
Brighter future for giant panda?
Scientists at Cardiff University, using a novel method to estimate population, have found that there may be many more giant pandas remaining in the wild than previously thought.
More Giant Panda Current Events and Giant Panda News Articles
|
Melissa & Doug Huggable and Lovable Giant Plush Panda by Melissa and Doug What's black and white and loved all over? This panda is over two feet tall and ready to hug. Featuring excellent quality construction, soft, furry fabric and an endearing expression. Soft and huggable, this will appeal to bear lovers of every age. Measures 23.8" x 22" x 15.8". | |
 |
Melissa & Doug Plush Giant Panda by Melissa & Doug The Melissa & Doug Giant Plush Panda is so cuddly and lovable and measures an incredible 26 tall. These plush animals are some of the largest most lifelike giant-sized plushies around soft, cuddly and made from premium quality materials. |
 |
Giant Pandas by John Seidensticker (Author), Susan Lumpkin (Author) Instantly recognizable to people everywhere, giant pandas are arguably the best known of all wild animals, yet also the least understood. With stunning full–color images and cutting–edge research, GIANT PANDAS covers all aspects of the biology, behavior, history, and conservation needs of these enigmatic bears. This beautiful book will inform and inspire countless people the world over who love giant pandas and want to learn everything about them. |
 |
Electric Laser by Giant Panda Giant Panda have returned! Their debut album, Fly School Reunion, dropped in 2005 and was received by unsuspecting ears that caught the raw sounds bursting forth. With their sophomore effort Giant Panda has definitely graduated . Electric Laser is the name of the game, and Giant Panda plays it well. The production is much like its predecessor, yet still fresh and innovative. Drums are still bangin with snares and kicks dominating the forefront, but the melodies, chops & loops are not totally traditional jazzy or funky. Thick, electro-fused samples are laced deep in the cuts of this record. Justin Case is a nice introduction to newcomers (just in case you didn t know) and a grand introduction to the new style of the album to established fans of Giant... |
 |
Schleich Female Giant Panda by Schleich Handpainted modelled from nature. Made of plastic. |
 |
Electric Laser Giant Panda (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Mama Gansu-Panda by purr-fection Plush,27", Poseable, Large |
 |
Giant Panda (Welcome Books) by Edana Eckart (Author) This emergent reader series introduces children to different animals, from all around the world. Readers will explore each animal's habitat, learn about their eating habits, and discover other fascinating facts. |
 |
Giant Panda Bear Baby Crib Nursery Bedding SET 10pcs by soho designs This set have a total of 10 Pieces! * Hand Embroidery Crib Quilt * Hand Embroidery Crib Bumper * Fitted Sheet * Crib Skirt (Dust Ruffle) * 2 pieces of Window Valances * Diaper Stacker * Toy Bag * Baby Pillow * Baby Bib This set fits all Baby cribs and Toddler Bed! All of our sets are Brand new, in zippered, handled carrying bag direct from SOHO BEDDING |
 |
Fly School Reunion by Giant Panda Tres Records presents the debut album from Giant Panda, “Fly School Reunion”. Giant Panda is a group composed of the ethnically diverse Chikaramanga, Maanumental, and Newman (with DJ Superbrush 427 and Sir Kado). After the success of GP’s independently released 88 Remix (Ukenjam 12” 2003) and their critically acclaimed Tres debut, With It (Tres 12” 2004), the time has finally come for the crew to show their full colors to the listening public. Though “Fly School Reunion” might be perceived as a throw back to a simpler, and arguably better time in Hip-Hop, it is more than just a practice in old themes and techniques. “Fly School Reunion” is Giant Panda’s celebration of what made those times special and what they feel needs to be reclaimed in order to advance the art... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |