San Diego Zoo Pandas are leaving San Diego Zoo

@MGolka completely agree with latter part of your statement. Considering what it would cost and the fact HD zoo is a top zoological facility, I wouldn't want them to bother. Having a friend that worked with ATL pandas, to me it seems way to much of hassel for what it brings to your facility
 
Westcoastperson said:
On a less dire note, I believe the pandas will be replaced by either Bornean Sun bears or Asiatic black bears. Both are species that do need breeding and San Diego has an excellent facility so it wouldn't surprise me if they used the leftover exhibits for more bear breeding. For the building, I believe if they were to put species in it they would only convert half of it and keep the other half for research. They spent a good amount of money on it and I doubt they would want to convert it all when they could use the equipment they have to help other 4 bear species in the park. I think they would definitely put Asian animals in the building. Maybe some small Asian mammals and definitely some reptiles from the reptile house. This could free up some room for smaller animals they keep off exhibit.
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I find the chances of either species occupying those exhibits highly unlikely. Both of those bears are slowly disappearing from US zoos, sun bears by not breeding and black bears due to lack of interest.

Also it has been reported by the SDZ regulars that the Red Pandas were moved to the Giant's exhibits.
 
Great Argus said:
I find the chances of either species occupying those exhibits highly unlikely. Both of those bears are slowly disappearing from US zoos, sun bears by not breeding and black bears due to lack of interest.

Also it has been reported by the SDZ regulars that the Red Pandas were moved to the Giant's exhibits.
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Ok well I knew both were disappearing that's why I thought they would be good in the facility. Do you know if they put a new species in the red panda habitat?
 
Westcoastperson said:
On a less dire note, I believe the pandas will be replaced by either Bornean Sun bears or Asiatic black bears. Both are species that do need breeding and San Diego has an excellent facility so it wouldn't surprise me if they used the leftover exhibits for more bear breeding. For the building, I believe if they were to put species in it they would only convert half of it and keep the other half for research. They spent a good amount of money on it and I doubt they would want to convert it all when they could use the equipment they have to help other 4 bear species in the park. I think they would definitely put Asian animals in the building. Maybe some small Asian mammals and definitely some reptiles from the reptile house. This could free up some room for smaller animals they keep off exhibit.
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It was my impression that sun bears were on phase out within AZA, is it not?

I can't see them coming back from that policy (even though personally I do feel and think sun bears as well as Asiatic black bears are a high conservation priority both ex situ, in S.E. Asia and in situ).
 
TinoPup said:
Daily Mail so make of it what you will, but supposedly people in China are using social media to claim Mei Xiang is being abused and should be returned: Panda Mei Xiang: Chinese web users urge their government to 'save' US-based bear from 'being abused' | Daily Mail Online
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As @Great Argus alluded to, the animal management record of the San Diego Zoo with giant panda husbandry and management has been exemplary over the years. Nay, it has demonstrated that natural breeding of giant pandas is not just a figment of people's imagination, but a reality by hard-nosed work on getting pairings to be compatible, discovering good cues for mating and really getting to understand the natural ecology of the species and what need(s)ed to change in general giant panda management (I have never been in favour of any AI breeding, but the giant panda breeding management of old did much to reinforce that stratagem over decades of giant pandas in captivity. SDZ broke that line ..., and later on with other zoos like Wien-Schoennbrun et al demonstrated that natural mating and successful breeding of giant pandas is not a mirage.

Personally, and really honestly hope for this legacy to continue and be expanded both internationally and at home in P.R. of China with giant panda ex situ management.

On the aforementioned comments by @TinoPup: Is it any wonder ...? Like I said the whole international atmosphere and discourse has become unwholesomely and completely politicised and way beyond good international diplomacy and relationships. Mind you - I am not advocating for either PR China or US, just observant what is happening right now and that which is poisoning peoples' own opinions on either side of that divide.

To be fair and even-handed and just fleeting highlighting the current socio-economic-political climate "arena" here: I am afraid the current - I am afraid after Nov. 3 yet - future) US administration did and does have a good deal to do with that too to begin with. I would also like to mention that along with PR China's not wholly fine record overseas with environment versus development and socio-political aspirations internationally, the same may be said of the current US administration both at home and abroad. For starters, the dismal and obvious intentionally driven anti environment agenda at home as well as the international and long standing tradition of unwelcome (and various "failed") interventions at the hands of various US administrations internationally (a good deal of the South American continent, Cuba, Barbados, numerous countries in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea ...).
 
twilighter said:
Is it any news around the National Zoo Pandas contract renewal ?
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No, it is a fictional TV series from the early 2000's.

Kifaru Bwana said:
It was my impression that sun bears were on phase out within AZA, is it not?

I can't see them coming back from that policy (even though personally I do feel and think sun bears as well as Asiatic black bears are a high conservation priority both ex situ, in S.E. Asia and in situ).
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Yes, sun bears are being phased out because breeding efforts largely failed. Asiatic black bears were phased out to make room for sloth and Andean.

Personally I wouldn't lose any sleep over places in the US losing pandas: they are a financial liability for zoos and China is self-sufficient in breeding them and funding their conservation efforts. I understand that people like them and losing any species can be a shame, but this is one where I think there could be more upside than downside.

Onychorhynchus coronatus said:
Yes, I agree, they would be a brilliant species to replace the pandas with and one that is arguably in much greater need of ex-situ conservation outside the species range.

Hellbenders would still be much better though IMO being a native species and that the zoo already have a breeding colony.
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The building is centered in an Asian exhibit area, so that wouldn't fit theme-wise. There is already a display window of their breeding station in the Reptile House.

Westcoastperson said:
Quite possibly, they did loan out pandas last time they held the Olympics and are trying to open a new Asian are for when they host the Olympics so they very well could do that
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I would be extremely surprised if LA goes for a panda contract - given their absence from the master plan (if I remember correctly), their financial status, and San Diego's contract issue. Same goes for Omaha; I think I remember reading an article that indicated current HDZ management is not interested in giant pandas.
 
Coelacanth18 said:
No, it is a fictional TV series from the early 2000's.
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Of course, but in the episode is mentioned the Pandas in the National zoo in Washington. That’s way I asked, about the current status of the contract between China and the National zoo. As far as I am aware, the agreement expires this December.
 
twilighter said:
Of course, but in the episode is mentioned the Pandas in the National zoo in Washington. That’s way I asked, about the current status of the contract between China and the National zoo. As far as I am aware, the agreement expires this December.
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If anyone had verifiable news/information about the Smithsonian contract, then it mosy likely would have been posted in the Smithsonian thread immediately - haven't seen anything there myself, but I also zone out a lot of panda-related news.
 
Coelacanth18 said:
I would be extremely surprised if LA goes for a panda contract - given their absence from the master plan (if I remember correctly), their financial status, and San Diego's contract issue. Same goes for Omaha; I think I remember reading an article that indicated current HDZ management is not interested in giant pandas.
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You are correct they are not stated in the master plan but lots of things can change in a few years. Contracts could be renewed, policies could be changed. It is very unlikely though as I doubt LA will get any more ambitious with this project
 
Coelacanth18 said:
Presumably until when the contract ends - potentially plus some extra time to arrange travel back to China.
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Well, does anyone know how long their contract goes to? I planned to visit in May and I may make it sooner if they're going to be leaving.
 
Fignewton said:
Well, does anyone know how long their contract goes to? I planned to visit in May and I may make it sooner if they're going to be leaving.
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According to the zoos website the contract ends on December 7, 2020, although this could obviously be extended again.
 
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