U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Giant Panda Policy Questions & Answers Why have a policy just for pandas? Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Any import requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to issue a permit under these wildlife measures. The giant panda is unique. It is highly endangered, with an estimated population of 1,600 animals in the wild, extremely popular with the public worldwide, and capable of generating substantial revenue when displayed. Because of this, giant panda imports have had a controversial history. Conservationists fear humans will “love the panda to death.” What does the policy cover? The policy clarifies the information considered in making permit findings under CITES and the ESA, and assists Chris Wilkinson CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 persons in filing a complete application for panda import, export, re-export, take, enhances the sustainability of the research, if related to captive or interstate or foreign commerce. The captive population, and contributes breeding, supplements China’s policy also provides guidance to assist to the recovery of pandas in the wild. conservation program to achieve a Service decision-makers and staff in The Service will consider whether the self-sustaining captive population reviewing panda permit applications to application: ensure that permit issuance criteria have • Describes the origin of the pandas to been addressed. The policy discusses • Outlines how net profits will be be imported and clearly shows that the purposes for which a permit may be calculated and fund disbursement the requested activity did not and issued and when exhibition of pandas is will be monitored, and has a provision will not cause the removal of animals allowed. It provides guidance to ensure to provide an annual accounting from the wild. that the import will not contribute to the report that clearly shows whether • Contains a plan to ensure that the removal of pandas from the wild, and a net profit was made and how the public display of pandas will not guidance on the use of funds associated funds were used in China. interfere with the research activities. with a panda transfer. • Includes a bona fide scientific research proposal, i.e., one that is • Shows that the applicant has the How can an institution meet the criteria set properly designed using scientific expertise, resources, and facilities to forth in the policy? methods focusing on a specific topic. accomplish the stated objectives of The primary goal of the policy is to The reseach must advance and/or the proposed research. ensure that permitted activities will supplement the scientific knowledge directly contribute to the survival and of panda biology and conservation • Shows that the research is part of recovery of the wild panda population. needs and be specifically relevant to a coordinated panda conservation To accomplish this goal, the Service will the expertise of the institution. effort and that scientific findings will review an application to determine that it be quickly shared. is a proposal for scientific research, • Addresses how the proposed Erin G. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 • Contains a description of how funds • A combination of both research and associated with the panda loan (loan conservation activities that enhance money, net profits, or fund-raising the survival of the species. dollars) will support high-priority panda conservation projects Before the Service can issue a permit, it identified by the Panda Office of the must make the following findings under China State Forestry Administration CITES and the ESA: or contained in China’s Captive Breeding Plan, with a significant • The import is not for primarily portion of the funds allocated for commercial purposes. panda projects in the wild, thus addressing the CITES criteria • The purpose of the import is not that the import is not for primarily detrimental to the survival of the commercial purposes. species in the wild. • Is a long-term loan commitment and • The importer has appropriate contains a copy of the loan agreement facilities and expertise to care for the with the appropriate entity within pandas. China. • The purpose of the import is • Shows that research on captive consistent with the ESA (i.e., breeding will be coordinated through for scientific research or for the American Zoo and Aquarium enhancement of the survival or Association’s Species Survival Plan propagation of the species - purposes for giant pandas (or a similar plan) that benefit the panda in the wild) and with China’s Captive Breeding Plan. • The import will not jeopardize the survival of panda populations in the wild. What are the purposes and circumstances U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under which a permit can be issued? International Affairs Under the policy, permits can be issued 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 212 for the following: Arlington, VA 22203 703/358-2104 or 800/358-2104 • Scientific research, if the research is e-mail: [email protected] directly linked and will contribute to http://www.fws.gov/international the recovery of pandas in the wild. • Is a long-term loan commitment and April 2014 contains a copy of the loan agreement @USFWSInternatl with the appropriate entity within Like us on Facebook China. USFWS_International Affairs.