Captive pandas are at risk from environmental toxins

Chen, Yiping; Maltby, Lorraine; Liu, Qiang; Song, Yi; Zheng, Yurong; Ellison, Aaron M.; Ma, Qiang; Xiao-min, WU

doi:10.1002/fee.1310

Cited by 26 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…, Chen et al. ). Samples from atmospheric deposition were freeze dried before being spiked with 13 C‐labeled surrogate standards (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] methods 1613B and 1668A) and undergoing accelerated solvent extraction with dichloromethane: hexane (1:1).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Captive pandas at SWARC and wild pandas elsewhere in the region are exposed to heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PCDDs (polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins), and PCDFs (polychlorinated dibenzofurans) through their diet of bamboo (Chen et al. ). However, the ultimate origin of these pollutants is not known.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Atmospheric deposition exposes Qinling pandas to toxic pollutants

Zheng

Liu

Song

et al. 2017

Ecological Applications

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Abstract. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the most endangered animals in the world, and it is recognized worldwide as a symbol for conservation. A previous study showed that wild and captive pandas, especially those of the Qinling subspecies, were exposed to toxicants in their diet of bamboo; the ultimate origin of these toxicants is unknown. Here we show that atmospheric deposition is the most likely origin of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the diets of captive and wild Qinling pandas. Average atmos pheric deposition was 199, 115, and 49 g·m −2 ·yr −1 in the center of Xi'an City, at China's Shaanxi Wild Animal Research Center (SWARC), and at Foping National Nature Reserve (FNNR), respectively. Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Ni) and POPs was highest at Xi'an City, intermediate at SWARC, and lowest at FNNR. Soil concentrations of the aforementioned heavy metals other than As and Zn also were significantly higher at SWARC than at FNNR. Efforts to conserve Qinling pandas may be compromised by air pollution attendant to China's economic development. Improvement of air quality and reductions of toxic emissions are urgently required to protect China's iconic species.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric deposition exposes Qinling pandas to toxic pollutants

Zheng

Liu

Song

et al. 2017

Ecological Applications

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“…com/link") (pink area in Figure 2 With rapid industrialization, environmental pollution is increasing and following a similar trajectory to that previously seen in developed countries (Seinfeld 2004). Recent studies also have revealed that captive pandas are exposed to high concentrations of toxic chemicals, including PCDDs (polychlorinated didenzo-p-dioxins), PCDFs (polychlorinated dibenzofurans), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), and heavy metals (Chen et al 2016;Chen et al 2017a;Chen et al 2017b;Chen et al, forthcoming). A detailed study of the Qinling subspecies demonstrated that exposure to Figure 2.…”

Section: Captive Panda Populations Face Their Own Risksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establish a special conservation zone for the captive giant panda

Ellison

Lü

2018

Ecosyst Health Sustain

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The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) is recognized worldwide as an icon for wildlife conservation. Since the introduction in 1992 of reliable methods for artificial insemination, the population of captive pandas has grown to approximately 350 individuals in 2013. However, captive panda populations are harmed by environmental pollution, diseases transmitted from domestic animals, and other anthropologenic activities. Although the Chinese government has proposed the creation of a Giant Panda National Park, there are at least three reasons that suggest that it is premature to reintroduce captive pandas into this proposed national park. First, habitat fragmentation remains the greatest threat to survival of giant pandas; second, most captive pandas are hybrids of the Sichuan and Qinling subspecies and release of hybrids may lead to further introgression between the two subspecies; and third, captive pandas may be competitively inferior to wild pandas in the region, and may not survive fights for food or mates. As an alternative, we suggest establishing a special conservation zone in the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve for wild training of captive pandas prior to their reintroduction into the National Park.

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“…Since 1978, 13 conservation zones have been established in the Qinling Mountains to protect the giant panda, and the largest density area of pandas is the Foping Nature Reserve that belongs to Xinglongling population habitat. However, a recent study had found that pandas in the Foping Nature Reserve were exposed to toxic metals via their food, the bamboo species Fargesia qinlingensis and Bashania fargesii, and soil in their core activity area (Chen et al 2016). In order to comprehensively explore the ecological risk of metals in Qinling giant panda habitat and the giant pandas' exposure levels to toxic metals and health risk, soil, water, bamboo, and feces samples were collected in independent distribution areas of six Qinling giant panda populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, bamboo (Fargesia dura) growing in a mining area accumulated Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn with concentrations of Cd and Zn being greater in bamboo tissue than in the soil (Yanqun et al 2004), and likewise, bamboo (Fargesia qinlingensis and Bashania fargesii) have higher concentrations of Cd and Pb in the Foping Nature Reserve that is one of the core activity areas of Qinling giant panda (Chen et al 2016). Pandas can consume an average 30 kg of bamboo shoots and leaves per day (Tuanmu et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Highway increases concentrations of toxic metals in giant panda habitat

Zheng

Chen

Maltby

et al. 2016

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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The Qinling panda subspecies (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) is highly endangered with fewer than 350 individuals inhabiting the Qinling Mountains. Previous studies have indicated that giant pandas are exposed to heavy metals, and a possible source is vehicle emission. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, Hg, and As in soil samples collected from sites along a major highway bisecting the panda's habitat were analyzed to investigate whether the highway was an important source of metal contamination. There were 11 sites along a 30-km stretch of the 108th National Highway, and at each site, soil samples were taken at four distances from the highway (0, 50, 100, and 300 m) and at three soil depths (0, 5, 10 cm). Concentrations of all metals except As exceeded background levels, and concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cd decreased significantly with increasing distance from the highway. Geo-accumulation index indicated that topsoil next to the highway was moderately contaminated with Pb and Zn, whereas topsoil up to 300 m away from the highway was extremely contaminated with Cd. The potential ecological risk index demonstrated that this area was in a high degree of ecological hazards, which were also due to serious Cd contamination. And, the hazard quotient indicated that Cd, Pb, and Mn especially Cd could pose the health risk to giant pandas. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that the highway was the main source of Cd, Pb, and Zn and also put some influence on Mn. The study has confirmed that traffic does contaminate roadside soils and poses a potential threat to the health of pandas. This should not be ignored when the conservation and management of pandas is considered.

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Captive pandas are at risk from environmental toxins

Cited by 26 publications

References 21 publications

Atmospheric deposition exposes Qinling pandas to toxic pollutants

Atmospheric deposition exposes Qinling pandas to toxic pollutants

Establish a special conservation zone for the captive giant panda

Highway increases concentrations of toxic metals in giant panda habitat

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