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Source: CCTV.com

10-13-2008 10:46

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In the western part of Sichuan Province, the Qionglai Mountains run north and south. Every March, the snow melts and flowers bloom. However, something terrible happened in March 1983.

They were worried about the forest because of the Pandas that live on Bashania fangiana on the mountain.

Since there was neither food nor places to hide, the pandas began to move down the mountain. Along the way, they were attacked by other animals or even worse captured by hunters. Some pandas went into people’s homes.

They discovered that over 60 pandas had died. And over 50 were homeless. The pandas were facing life-and-death.

The pandas were saved and most of them were returned to nature after the disaster. But six remained for further research.

Woolong is a very small place that is difficult to find on a map. However, it has attracted worldwide attention for being China’s largest panda research institution, the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda. It’s main objective is to protect pandas.

In 1869, a French Priest Pere Armand David came to the town of Baoxing, which is about 400 kilometers far away from Woolong. He discovered a black and white animal that looked like the bear. David took a specimen of the animal back to France, which created a sensation there. To their surprise, this lovely animal was from east. It had a round face, two black eyes, and black ears, nose and lips, which made it look as if it wore make-up. Soon some French merchants came to China and tried to purchase and capture pandas. The pandas then became the targets of poachers. It wasn’t until the 1950s that they were considered international treasures worth protection.

Many Chinese began to become familiar with Woolong and its role in protecting pandas in the 1980s. It soon became a destination for young people interested in nature.

In 1994, LI Desheng graduated from the Animal Science & Technology College of Sichuan Agricultural University. As a new graduate, he had many dreams. Every morning at eight, the keepers are busy feeding the pandas. The pandas get excited. There is an unwritten agreement at the research center. No matter which university you’ve graduated from, you must learn how to be a good panda keeper.

However, he didn't expect to have problems feeding the pandas.

But, the pandas ignored this food. They were still lethargic all day. What was the matter? In the wild, bamboo was the main food for pandas. Except for sleep, they ate all day long.

In the research center, the bamboo for pandas was bought from local farmers. There were fewer varieties than in the wild. Everyone was trying their best to feed the pandas better. However, more troubles emerged.

In the following June, a female panda called Maomao was in estrus. Usually the estrus period for pandas is in spring, between March and April. The time for estrus had already passed. Why was Maomao in estrus now?

Before June, the keepers had been busy waiting for Maomao to start estrus. Everybody believed she wouldn’t be in estrus this year. Nobody expected it would be summer.

When the pandas are sexually mature, they will be in estrus once during spring. And ovulation lasts only one or two days. Since Maomao was older, she only had a few chances left to be pregnant.

The countdown starts tonight. Her mate is Lele, a younger panda. The keepers were worried they wouldn’t mate because of their difference in ages. The scientists gave Lele training on how to mate. The pandas live a carefree life and dislike moving. There’s a small chance for successful mating. Most pandas lack the knowledge to mate. At the center, most pandas like Lele need to be taught.

Lele was bored of watching the video and fell asleep. The scientists tried to keep his attention. Finally, Lele was ready to mate. No one was sure he’d be successful.

Usually, pandas walk alone, lowering their heads. Only during estrus, do they pay attention to the opposite sex. The keepers were waiting for the right time. They couldn't put them together too soon. Otherwise, the pandas would fight. They had to wait for the best opportunity.

The time was almost right. The researchers observed Lele. His first attempt was unsuccessful due to his lack of experience.

By dawn, Maomao and Lele were tired and needed rest. The researchers were busy preparing for their second session. However, there was something wrong with Maomao. She became indifferent to Lele. No matter how Lele tried, she kept yelling at him. Maomao was unfriendly toward Lele. There was no feelings between them. The second mating session would be unsuccessful, too.

Time was passing. Finally, the scientists decided to artificially inseminate Maomao to increase her chance of pregnancy.

The sperm was removed from the panda Zhuangzhuang five minutes ago. Zhuangzhuang was eight years old and had never mated. He was the best candidate.

In Woolong, there are many male pandas like Zhuangzhuang that are sexually developed well but have never mated. They could only have cubs through artificial insemination.

The next day, Maomao and Lele met again. They didn’t disappoint the keepers. It seemed that Lele was inspired. The mating was successful. However, they began to fight with each other in short time. 19"

Lele didn't attack Maomao but wanted to control her. The keepers opened the cage quickly and let Maomao move away. Although the mating was successful, the time was short. So her chances of being pregnant were very low.

Maomao felt very sad about the way she was treated. She didn't want to see Lele again. She developed passion with another panda called Lingling. Although Lingling wasn't good-looking, he was tender and experienced. The keepers were happy about Maomao and Lingling. It was rare for pandas to mate successfully the first time. The chance for Maomao to become pregnant increased.

Time was running out. The researchers hoped Maomao would be successful this last time.

But they were disappointed again. As she mated with Lele, Maomao felt very bad. And Lele was even ruder this time. He bit Maomao viciously on her palm.

There are only hours left of her estrus. After stitching her wound, the researchers take her to be artificial inseminated again.

The two days passed quickly. Maomao became quiet again. With technology lacking, it would take two months to know if she's pregnant.

 

Editor:Yang