Endangered Giant Pandas Might Be Saved by Science

Experts have been working for decades to try to save a number of animal species from extinction. Now, a research team in western China hopes it has found a way to save giant pandas. 

Scientists have successfully taken skin cells from the animals and reprogrammed them into pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). It marks the first time any team has been able to do so. These new cells bring experts one step closer to creating germ cells. Those could become the building blocks for sperm and egg cells used in breeding.     

In other words, scientists could one day breed new pandas through a process that would begin in a lab. The research also could help experts learn new ways to treat disease that has killed off many pandas.  

The study was published recently in the journal Science Advances. Thomas Hildebrandt told Science News it was a "breakthrough in the field of giant panda conservation .” He's a veterinarian at the Free University of Berlin. Hildebrandt was not part of the research team in China.  

The finding “opens up a complete new avenue (to rescue) this magnificent species,” he said. It also may work as a way to help save other endangered animal species, Hildebrandt added. Indeed, iPSCs have been created for a rare zebra, the Tasmanian devil, and the northern white rhino.   

Only about 1,800 giant pandas still exist in the wild. Outside of zoos, they mainly live in forests high in the mountains of southwest China. The Chinese view them as a national treasure. Pandas' diet is made of almost only bamboo. They eat from 26 to 84 pounds of it every day. The amount depends on what part of the bamboo they are eating.       

Reflect: What do you think are some of the most important ways we can help protect endangered animals?

Gif of pandas from GIPHY.