The delicate and rewarding art of rearing cubs

Caring for giant panda cubs sounds like an enviable job, and it certainly was in Liu Huaiting's firsthand experience.

In the lush, mist-covered mountains of Ya'an, Sichuan province, Liu has been a panda keeper at a China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda base for a decade.

Liu first encountered giant panda cubs in 2017, a year that marked his transition from handling adult pandas to caring for their vulnerable offspring.

"Handling my first set of twin cubs was an unforgettable experience," he said. Nurturing the panda twins, Qiao Yi and Qiao Liang, was a challenging and rewarding change for Liu.

Caring for panda cubs is a complex task. Unlike their adult counterparts who primarily consume bamboo and supplementary food, cubs require specially tailored diets and constant vigilance due to their delicate health.

"Our job involves intricate details,"Liu explained. "From feeding bottles to disinfecting equipment, every task is crucial, no matter how trivial."

His daily responsibilities are multifaceted, ranging from monitoring growth data and feeding to managing a plethora of supplies and tools necessary for panda care.

Liu recalled his intense focus while caring for the twin cubs, He He and Mei Mei."Their survival was critical because they were the first twins born through our wilderness reintroduction program, which means they have special genetic value," he said.

When the cubs were about half a month old, Liu noticed blood in their excrement. Keepers took turns caring for the cubs around the clock for three to four days until they regained their health.

Liu said that as giant pandas are a precious species, many rearing experiences do not have precedent; they are accumulated through meticulous daily observations and care.

Liu's commitment was tested in 2020 when he was dispatched to the Chongqing Zoo to assist with a delicate rescue mission. A newborn giant panda named Yu Ke, born to Er Shun, faced a life-threatening situation shortly after birth because the mother accidentally squeezed it. Liu and the team's quick response and expertise saved the cub's life.

"Thanks to our years of accumulated experience, the cub was rescued in time, but the situation was indeed critical. If we had discovered it any later, the outcome might have been irreversible," he said.

Liu has witnessed and contributed to advancements in giant panda conservation throughout his career. The species' population has grown, evolving from critically endangered to being classified as vulnerable.

"Seeing this progress is incredibly fulfilling," said Liu."The increase in giant panda numbers and the development of our field reflect the hard work and innovation that has driven our mission."

One of the most notable achievements in recent years has been the introduction of captive-bred giant pandas back into their natural habitat. This groundbreaking work involves training pandas to survive in the wild and helping them integrate into wild populations. Liu takes pride in knowing that pandas released into the wild have successfully mated and contributed to genetic diversity.

In recent years, the center has expanded its giant panda conservation efforts by collaborating with countries across the globe. The center provides technical support and training to assist these countries in enhancing their expertise and capabilities in the conservation and management of giant pandas.

As the journey of wildlife conservation continues, the center remains at the forefront of conservation efforts, integrating new technologies and methods to improve panda care.

"Our work has become more sophisticated," said Liu. "Now we can use real-time monitoring systems and share the data collected to ensure the best care for our pandas."

Having reached the target of increasing births over the past few years, the center has shifted towards optimizing genetic diversity and making the offspring healthier.

Reflecting on his experiences, Liu is humble and proud."In the beginning, working with pandas made me feel happy and stress-free. Over time, it has become a profound responsibility. Now, all I ever want is for each of them to grow up safe and sound."

Li Ren contributed to this story.