Basic, descriptive information on giant panda maternal behavior will contribute to understanding the dynamic of this developmental process, and in identifying abnormal or deficient mothering when it does occur. Zoo Atlanta's maternal behavior study is unique, because more detailed quantitative information is being collected on a wider range of behaviors. Additionally, this study examines maternal behavior over a longer period of time than other captive studies, because some of the cubs remained with their mothers for over a year. We anticipate that other cubs studied in the future will also remain with their mothers for similar durations. Finally, this is the first study that includes a dam raising twins simultaneously.
Current subjects are four female giant pandas and their five cubs.
All subjects are housed at the Chengdu institutions. Four of the cubs were born in the fall of 1997. The fifth cub was born in the fall of 1998. Other females that give birth in Chengdu during the duration of this loan will be future subjects of this study. The two individuals that have been selected for loan to Zoo Atlanta and their dams are subjects in this study.