Society

Sichuan builds first giant panda hospital

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-09 10:50

China's first giant panda hospital, the world's only giant panda disease prevention and control professional institution to be completed by the end of 2012

Construction for the world's first giant panda disease prevention and control center was undertaken on the afternoon of May 3. The project, which is taking place at the state-level Wolong Nature Reserve in Shiqiao village of Qingchengshan town, Dujiangyan city and being financed by the Hong Kong SAR, will be finished and put to use by the end of 2012. The hospital will become a national hospital for giant pandas in which national first aid and disease prevention research on wild giant pandas will be launched. The project is one of the landmark projects assisted by the HK SAR Government as part of the post-disaster reconstruction in Wolong Nature Reserve.

"The construction of the center will be reputed as the historical milestone in the giant panda protection and research," said the head of the Wolong Nature Reserve.

The center will operate in a capacity which will give prompt response to sudden natural disasters, accidents, disasters, social security events and other major emergencies taking place in the giant panda's habitat. It will work to rapidly transfer and evacuate giant pandas while protecting the safety of the captive giant panda population.

In recent years, the risk of infectious diseases in the captive giant panda population has been gradually on the rise; therefore, it is very necessary to establish a specialized care and disease prevention and control center.

"After the investigation and verification, Shiqiao Village boasts an ideal natural environment and climate that can satisfy the needs of giant pandas for survival," the official said.

The planning map shows the giant panda disease prevention and control center is designed in accordance with the west Sichuan folk house style, featured by blue bricks and grey tiles, leaving people a feel of particularly simplicity and cordiality. The center covers an area of about 760 acres with a total floor area of 12,524 square meters. The area will be able to hold 40 giant pandas for the ambulance, convalescence and corresponding research as well as breeding. It is reported the total investment for the project is around RMB 210 million with a project construction cost of about RMB 130 million. The project is completely financed by the HK SAR Government.

"After the completion of the project, the giant panda care and disease prevention and control center may also function as tourism."

By the end of 2012, the center will have been completed and put into use. A portion of the center will be opened to the public, becoming a new tourist attraction.