If the trend continues, we can expect the captive population to grow and, one day we hope some of these animals can go back to the wild. It is mainly the clearing of land for farming and timber harvesting that causes the decline. Bamboo forests need large emergent trees to provide shade if they are to survive. We have a 24-hour sound monitor at their exhibit, and we compare the results to hormones extracted from their urine to see if they are stressed. On days when we give her a choice to go where she wants within her living area, she often prefers to be out in the exhibit area while people are there.
Pandas seem able to sleep through a great deal of noise.
Even so, we ask visitors to keep their voices down. Shi Shi can be compared to a person who is over 100 years old. The reason for this statement is that pandas usually live to about 20, and he is already 22 or 23 years old. So, as a very old panda, he is slowing down and often needs treatment for high blood pressure or an upset stomach. Because they cannot both use the tunnel on the same day, we alternate, and let them have every other day to move around.