. If you wish to promote panda love, and to have many panda babies, you should allow them to choose their partner. In the panda world, mate preference reigns supreme. It is important to put less emphasis on genetic matches and ovulation cycles. A team of scientists from Nature Communications explained that if you do not allow pandas to choose their partner, it will be much more difficult for them to reproduce. The pandas are very similar to humans in that they aren’t keen on being married. The attraction isn’t there if the chemistry doesn’t exist, so the attraction is also not present for the cubs. In the wild, the giant panda could be extinct. In the hopes of saving the population, scientists have created a variety of conservation breeding programs. There have been endless studies on the problems of female pandas, with their limited ovulation cycle and very short window to conceive. Female pandas only ovulate once per year, and they have a two-to three-day window to conceive. The reproductive performance of female pandas was significantly higher when they were mated with preferable partners than those who weren’t. Intromission, or inserting penis into the vaginal canal), was twice as common with males who were preferred than those who weren’t. Female pandas that had copulated with males were about two-times more likely to have a cub with them. Image: Nature Communications. Researchers have written much about compatibility challenges. Because their genes are’matched,’ breeding pairs were traditionally placed together. This has rarely resulted, however, in a cub. To get fussy pandas in the right mood, scientists have turned to Viagra and “panda porn” to help. A new study by Meghan Martin-Wintle (Pittsburgh State University biology alumna), found that mate preference is more important than genetic compatibility in successful panda breeding. Researchers conducted an experiment at a Chinese Zoo where 40 pandas could choose from two possible mates. The females could signal their preference by chirping, scent-making and interactions with males through a mesh barrier. The male pandas could also choose. If they found compatibility, the chances of them having a cub were 80% higher than if they weren’t allowed to choose. When the pandas felt compatible, i.e. The preference of male pandas for mates also has a major impact on reproduction measurements. Males were twice more likely to get intromission with females they preferred than those who did not. When it came to copulation, the preferred females had a higher probability of producing cubs than non-preferred ones. It was also revealed that males older than 10 years had higher intromission rates and more cub production. Image: Nature Communications. Conservation programs must incorporate mate preference Martin-Wintle stated: “This indicates that incorporating partner choice into conservation breeding programmes could make a big difference in their success.” There are only 2 ,000 giant pandas left wild. We can increase the number of individuals we produce through such programs. This will allow us to have more people available for reintroduction. Image: www.pdx.edu. Captive breeding helps species survive. In 2012,, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums reported that 31 of 33 species of animal listed as “Extinct in The Wild” on the IUCN Red List were actively kept in captivity at zoos and aquariums. If it wasn’t for captive breeding, some species like the California condor would be extinct today. This latest study confirmed what Martin-Wintle and David Shepherdson (oregon Zoo deputy conservation manager), had found in an earlier study about Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits. These endangered natives were successfully bred and then reintroduced by Oregon Zoo. Shepherdson, co-author said that Zoos have a unique opportunity to help endangered species. Captive breeding is just one way in which they can do so. Breeding programs cannot be successful without safe and suitable habitats to place them in. The toolbox does not include captive breeding. Giant pandas must have the freedom to select their own mate for successful breeding. Martin-Wintle said: “The takeaway message is that it is important to do more research in this area with conservation breeding programs for other species.” Oregon Zoo partnership with graduate students MartinWintle is among several Portland State students who collaborate with Oregon Zoo. This partnership gives biology graduate students the opportunity to conduct research and has the added benefit of having their advisor and a scientist at Oregon Zoo. Debbie Duffield is a Portland State University biology professor and Martin-Wintle’s advisor. She said that the partnership between Oregon Zoo and Portland State University Biology has provided a wonderful opportunity for students. Their research could lead to significant changes in how we approach the saving of endangered species. The project was supported by an Oregon Zoo Foundation Future of Wildlife grant in 2011.. Citation: “Free mate selection enhances conservation breeding of the endangered giant panda,” Meghan Martin-Wintle and David Shepherdson. Nature Communications 6. Article number: 10125. December 15, 2015. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10125. Video: Giant panda bears of the forest – David Attenborough This BBC video features Sir David Attenborough talking about giant pandas. These bears are the only ones known to be active in winter.
