The earthquake of 12 May took place in the Minshang mountains, which is wild panda habitat. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is working to address the immediate and long-term needs of animals and people living in the affected nature reserves. Thankfully, the animals and staff of the Chengdu Panda Base are safe. But the secondary effects are significant, and will challenge the operation of the Panda Base for some time in the future. We would be immensely grateful for whatever assistance the supporters of giant panda conservation efforts are able to offer.

　　Your support will benefit the following efforts:

　　1.Rescue and treatment of injured wild pandas. The administrative authorities for Sichuan Province have appointed the Chengdu Panda Base as the organization to handle all wild panda rescues and necessary veterinary care for pandas injured in the earthquake.

　　2. Care of captive giant pandas of the Chengdu Panda Base and of the Wolong Panda Center . The Wolong Center has suffered extensive damage to its infrastructure. While this is under repair, Chengdu Panda Base is assisting in the housing and care of Wolong's pandas. Bamboo and other necessary supplies for the animals have become significantly more expensive due to compromised transportation and personnel in the earthquake area. Due to the sharp drop in tourism to the area, the Chengdu Panda Base is also now working under unanticipated budgetary constraints. Nonetheless, our principle commitment is to the care and safety of giant pandas, and all resources will be prioritized for their needs.

　　3. Rebuilding capacity in the giant panda nature reserves. The infrastructure for giant panda conservation in many of the giant panda reserves has been destroyed. The Chengdu Panda Base enjoys close partnerships with several panda nature reserves in the area, with which we work on research and conservation education projects. Especially the Longxi Hongkou, Bei Shui He, Anzi He and Hei Shui He nature reserves have suffered severe damage. We are assisting government efforts in addressing the immediate needs of the reserve staff and the local people in these areas. Very importantly, we are also committed to the long-term goal of rebuilding capacity of these nature reserves.

　　 4. Assisting local human communities in stewardship of the giant panda nature reserves. Human communities living in and near the nature reserves have suffered severe losses in terms of human life and livelihoods. The security and viability of these local people are critical to the health of the giant panda nature reserves. The Chengdu Panda Base is contributing to the relief effort in these areas now in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. As the long-term needs of the communities are significant, the Chengdu Panda Base will work with the local people to assist their return to independence and stewardship of the natural areas.

　　Your donation will go to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Foundation, which is a non-profit, non-government agency (NGO) managed in direct association with the Chengdu Panda Base. The Foundation ensures that all funds are dedicated directly to the projects for which they are intended.

　　Prof. Zhang Zhihe,Ph.D, Director of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding;
　　　　　　　 　　　　　　Director of Chinese Breeding Techniques for Giant Pandas.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Vice President and Secretary General of the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding                                                       Research Foundation. zzh@panda.org .cn .
　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Tel: +86 028 8350 5318 or +86 13981816166

　　Dr. Kati Loeffler, 　　　Director of Animal Health. katiloeffler@gmail.com 　Tel: +86 13980938242

　　 Ms. Wei Ling, 　　　　Assistant to the Director. weiling@panda.org.cn
　　　　　　                            Tel: +86 8351 6911 or +86 13551180895