Xiang Xiang (giant panda)

Xiang Xiang climbing a tree at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong National Nature Reserve in China's southwestern Sichuan province in 2006

Xiang Xiang (Chinese: 祥祥; pinyin: Xiáng Xiang; August 25, 2001^[1] – February 19, 2007) was the first giant panda to be released into the wild after being bred and raised in captivity.^[2] Born at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center in the Sichuan Province, Xiang Xiang endured a three-year training regimen intended to equip him with the skills necessary to survive in the wild.^[3] Fitted with a radio-collar upon his release in April 2006, the five-year-old male was tracked each month to check his movements and feeding habits.^[4] Despite this extensive preparation, Xiang Xiang was found dead less than a year after his release. The Xinhua News Agency announced the panda's death May 31, 2007, over three months after the incident occurred, citing "the need for a full investigation"^[5] as the reason for the delay. Officials from the Research Center determined that a fall from the trees was the probable cause of death. Scratches on Xiang Xiang's body suggest that he was probably being pursued by other pandas when he fell.^[6]

References

1. "China releases panda to the wild". BBC. 2006-04-28. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
2. "First Panda Freed Into Wild Found Dead". National Geographic News. 2007-05-31.
3. "Human-raised giant panda able to survive in wild". 2006-02-09. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
4. Horstman, Mark (October 5, 2006). Panda Pioneer (.asx/.ram). ABC. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
5. "Artificially bred China panda dies in the wild". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
6. "Panda that was released into wild dies". MSNBC. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2007-08-04.