Endangered species (saving the panda)

A quarter of all living species on the planet could be extinct within the next 50 years, as ecosystems are destroyed. To prevent this from happening, millions of dollars have been raised and allocated to various conservation projects to protect threatened wildlife and slow the reduction I the diversity of living things.

Destruction of panda?s natural habitat has taken a heavy toll on its population, so it has become one of the most endangered species. In the mid- seventies the Chinese government took measures in recognition of the need to preserve the panda?s ecosystem. Unfortunately it coincides with bursting bamboos into flowers. The consequences were disastrous- more than 10 per cent of the whole population died of starvation. As pandas had begun to extinct, people decided to enlarge the population or just to preserve it, so they put them in confines. They wanted to improve their low production rate, but it turn out that the biggest problem is the shortness of impregnation period for a female- only one to three days a year. Not only is ovulation difficult to pinpoint, but also mating has to be encouraged at the right moment. Scientists are trying artificial insemination but most attempts have met with limited success.

People are trying to eliminate those factors which threaten panda?s survival to protect the existing population. They are hoping to enlarge it one day with offspring born and bred in captivity, so that future generations may also enjoy the sight of these charming, widely admired creatures.