Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The human death toll has topped 12,000.

We have 2 reports of satellite phone calls out of Wolong to the Bifengxia Panda Base reporting that the Wolong pandas are safe. We also have another report of a satellite phone call to the Sichuan Forestry Department, saying both the pandas and the caretakers are OK and the cubs have been moved to another safer area. Included in one of the phone calls was the information that 20 people died in the Wolong area. We are trying to verify all information and obtain first-hand reports.

Chinese news has been reporting that the Army marched for 24 hours to get into the epicenter area and that paratroopers will soon be dropped along with supplies. They are not reporting details of just where the Army is working. The weather has been very bad and caused numerous mudslides. There have also been several aftershocks in the area.

Our Board Member in China has said pictures being broadcast of the road to Wolong shows it has been demolished. It was a hazardous road in the best of times.

Since Wolong is so close to the epicenter of the 7.9 quake, we believe there will be damage to the breeding center. We hope to be prepared to provide replacements of the everyday medical supplies the pandas need plus additional surgical equipment and machines. Also, we are concerned that delivery of the vitamin and nutritional supplements, grain, and bamboo will be delayed for the adults for some time due to transportation and funding difficulties. Births are expected in June and we hope the nursery is intact and has utilities including electricity for the incubators. There is no telling what affect this will have on pregnant females.

With your caring and assistance, we will work to meet the needs for Wolong pandas and their devoted caretakers.

As some have asked, we have confirmed that Dr. Li is OK. He was in Chengdu at the time of the quake. Peter Wood is also safe in Chengdu.

Fans of the pandas born at San Diego — we can assure you that Mei Sheng is safe as he had been moved to Bifengxia. Hua Mei is at Wolong and we hope she is also safe.

Please check back daily for updates.


Chair of Pandas International