Suzanne’s Travel Log: Breeding Center

Update from Director Suzanne Braden’s September 2013 Trip to China:

When Bifengxia was built in 2006, it included a very small breeding center, as it was not designed as the main center for breeding. The original intent was that Bifengxia would house sub-adults and seniors but not the breeding age population. The 2008 earthquake changed everything so a “new” breeding center was built behind the hospital to house many more potential moms.

The master plan for panda births needed to continue despite the massive earthquake so breeding became an area of focus at Bifengxia.

I visited the new breeding center several times on this trip, always amazed at the maternal care of the panda moms and their human helpers! There is nothing better in all of my panda experiences than to watch a panda mom cradle her cub! The cubs and their moms definitely experience a special bond. Read more…