Exploring Captive Giant Panda Reproduction: Maternal and Offspring Factor Correlations from 324 Breeding Events
Bo Luo,
Bo Yang,
Qiang Zhou,
Guo Li,
Yanwu Lai,
Wen Zeng,
Guiquan Zhang,
Desheng Li,
Liu Yang
Affiliations
Bo Luo
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
Bo Yang
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
Qiang Zhou
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
Guo Li
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
Yanwu Lai
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
Wen Zeng
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
Guiquan Zhang
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
Desheng Li
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
Liu Yang
China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Conservation Biology of Rare Animals in the Giant Panda National Park, Chengdu 610051, China
This study analyzes 324 captive giant panda breeding events (1998–2023) to unravel maternal and gestational drivers of cub survival and health—the largest dataset of its kind to date. Key variables included gestational duration, maternal age, interbirth interval, number of cubs per breeding event, cub birth weight, and neonatal mortality. Maternal age (5–7 years, ≥20 years) and interbirth intervals ≤1 year were linked to increased neonatal mortality, whereas intermediate gestational durations (110–127 days) and longer interbirth intervals (≥4 years) correlated with higher cub survival ratios. Although no direct relationship was found between gestational duration and birth weight, singleton cubs exhibited significantly higher weights than twins. By quantifying these relationships, we propose actionable strategies to enhance reproductive efficiency in managed populations, such as adjusting breeding schedules and maternal health monitoring.
