Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation
The Strange Science Behind Giant Pandas; Edge of the Earth | San Antonio Zoo Podcast
Meet the bear that spends up to 20 hours a day eating bamboo, lives a largely solitary life and—when the opportunity arises—may even gnaw on animal bones for extra nutrients. Giant pandas may be famous for their cuddly appearance, but behind their black-and-white coats lies a remarkable story of specialization, survival and conservation. In this episode of Edge of the Earth: Tales of Conservation, hosts Dr. Danté Fenolio and Sierra Fenolio sit down with Smithsonian wildlife ecologist Bill McShea to explore the surprising biology of giant pandas and the decades of international collaboration helping protect them in the wild. From bamboo flowering and camera traps to protected reserves and wildlife corridors, Bill reveals what it truly takes to conserve the world's most recognizable bear. Why would researchers use bones instead of bamboo to attract a panda? How can tunnels through mountains unexpectedly become wildlife crossings? And how does protecting giant pandas also help takin, Asiatic black bears and countless other species sharing their forests? Get ready for an episode filled with unexpected panda facts, remarkable conservation success stories and a closer look at how protecting one beloved species can safeguard an entire ecosystem.
