Chinese zoo repeats Giant Panda breeding breakthrough

[Tentacle]

[quote]A critical breakthrough has been made in efforts to save the giant panda, one that could kick-start attempts to reintroduce the animals to the wild.

Conservationists say they have perfected the difficult task of reproducing pandas, having reached their target of successfully raising 300 of the bears in captivity.

The breakthrough, mainly by scientists at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Centre, China, should lead to the first panda being reintroduced into the wild within 15 years.

Female pandas are only on heat for 72 hours a year, and can only actually become pregnant during a 12 to 24 hour window during this time.

The revelation comes after documentary makers were given unprecedented access to the research centre to film captive breeding activity over two years. [/quote]
[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9225000/9225918.stm]Source[/url]

[img]http://www.treehugger.com/happy-panda.jpg[/img]

Well, at least their future is a little brighter. :buddy:

Edit: title should be "[b]reports[/b] giant panda breeding breakthrough" - my apologies.

[Ronin]

Saw this on the BBC website yesterday, I love their idea of finally reintroducing them to the wild.

[faze]

Cute little bastards.

[DireAvenger]

I still have no idea why nature has this ridiculously stupid law that only allows animals to breed at certain times.

Apart from a certain species we all know and love (It's not cane toads)