Mission For Conservation and Education

Back in 1999, the Conservation and Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) convened a giant panda Conservation Assessment & Research Techniques Workshop in Wolong, Sichuan, China. The workshop confirmed that the first priority of giant panda conservation is to protect giant panda habitats and wild population. Of the three strategies to be developed to support the primary goals, one is to "Use the captive population for conservation education worldwide."

All the participating experts in the workshop supported the thesis that for conservation of endangered species on the Earth, it is necessary to protect environment with concerted efforts, seek international cooperation, and then to employ global resources to protect and maintain the healthiness of habitats. To achieve this goal, it requires conservative education in all respects. Therefore, clear disclosure of the significance of captive population in the conservation of giant pandas will rely on an important role played by education.

Focus of Demonstration Giant Pandas

Demonstration of giant pandas will bring forth plenty of visitors, which can and will effectively galvanize the popularity and glamour of giant pandas into conservatory actions. The six focal directions of the demonstration of giant pandas by the Zoo are:

• Establish complete giant panda database and illustration systems, lead viewer to learn more of giant pandas and the hardship that giant pandas are currently facing in their living environment.
• Help viewers get to know that, aside from giant pandas, other Ursidae animals are also facing survivorship issues in wildlife, the factors of which including climate change, fragmentation of habitat, human's hunting behavior and other human-related factors.
• Help viewers get to know how the Zoo promotes and participates in the in situ conservation as well as ex situ conservation of Ursidae animals.
• Clarify the value of inviting giant pandas to Taiwan and the core role of the Zoo in this invitation, thereby demonstrating the contributions by the Taipei Zoo in conservation and researches of local wildlife animals.
• Extend viewers' care and love for giant pandas to local endangered species, and emphasize "What can I do for endangered species?" By making use of giant pandas conservation as one of the animal conservation actions for broader public participation. With this, more citizens will be urged to participate in conservatory activities, and private companies will be persuaded to make their best efforts for ecological and environmental causes.
• Unceasingly introduce and push forward researches relating to giant pandas, and upgrade technology and research results through international exchange and participation, then apply these fruits to researches of local species.