The earthquake in China had not only devastating or fatal consequences for millions of people but also for animals. An article in the Telegraph showed some photos from the rescue operation for the pandas in the Wolong nature reserve which is only situated 20 miles from the epicentre and which was hit severely. Helpers found the bears shaking with fear and desperately clinging to trees for support.The quake reportedly killed five staff members and destroyed or severely damaged all 32 of the reserve's panda houses. And despite the massive operation some of the 1,600 pandas living in the wild in the Sichuan district remain missing, three of them of the world famous Wolong reserve, a breeding and research station where in total 86 pandas live. A Chinese official said that the first batch of bamboo, apples, and veterinary medicine for the pandas has arrived at the reserve as well as food and the tents urgently needed by the staff.
It is estimated that there are only 1600 pandas left in the wild in China and some 180 living in captivity in breeding stations. Breeding of pandas is a very time consuming and difficult procedure, mostly done by artificial insemination. Last year a sort of a baby boom had been reported... How much the earthquake has dammaged the habitat of the pandas in the wild rests to be seen.
Credits for photos: the first 2 photos / AFP-GETTY, last photo REUTERS, see more here: TELEGRAPH
1 Kommentar:
Reading the article about the Pandas been affected by the earthquake too, I feel a great sense of sadness because they are so marvellous and so rare. Fortunately most of them could be rescued which makes me happy!I am very sorry for the five members of the staff who got killed.
Stafford from Rodrigues
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