Binbin Li, an associate professor of environmental science at Duke Kunshan University, emphasized the importance of sustainable grazing practices and community involvement in protecting giant wild panda habitats. She led a research project in China from July 2018 to May 2024, focusing on the damage caused by livestock grazing on bamboo ecosystems and other crucial vegetation.
Fragmentation of panda habitats due to agriculture, cropland, infrastructure, and residential areas poses a significant threat to the populations. Li expressed concerns about the local extinction of small panda populations and stressed the need to reconnect fragmented habitats and reduce degradation caused by activities like livestock grazing.
Through assessing the impact of grazing on pandas, the study identified suitable grazing areas and patterns, laying the foundation for effective grazing management policies to safeguard panda habitats. Li highlighted the importance of implementing livestock bans in certain areas and providing support and incentives to local communities, such as job opportunities as rangers, to discourage unsustainable practices.
During the kick-off ceremony for the 29th Ocean Park Conservation Day focusing on “Safeguarding Wild Giant Pandas and Their Habitats,” Li spoke to reporters about the conservation efforts. She emphasized the need to ensure proper care and space for pandas in captivity, noting the importance of captive pandas in raising awareness and understanding of wild pandas.
Li pointed out that captive pandas, like the six living in Hong Kong, can serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts, attracting public attention and support for conservation efforts. She stressed the significance of educating the public through captive pandas to promote conservation and protect wild panda populations facing various threats in their natural habitats.
