Giant Pandas: Biology, Veterinary Medicine and Management

The giant panda is one of the world's most recognized animals, but until now the biology of this threatened species has been a mystery. With the environment undergoing unprecedented change at a rapid and accelerating rate, can such a highly specialized species survive? This book is the first of its kind to summarize the present state of knowledge about panda biology, encompassing topics such as reproduction, behaviour, nutrition, genetics and veterinary medicine. It also provides the latest information on veterinary management, advances in neonatal care, disease detection and prevention and the use of 'assisted breeding' to promote reproduction and preserve genetic diversity, as the females are sexually receptive for only 3 days per year and generally produce twins, but often lose one due to maternal neglect. This book provides the scholarly knowledge that will help conserve this treasured species in nature, while there is still time.