Panda meet in Chiang Mai
Zoo Thailand will host the International Giant Panda Conference in Chiang Mai for the first time next week.
The 2006 International Conference on Research and Breeding Techniques on the Giant Panda will be held at Chiang Mai's Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel from November 12-16 and will be presided over by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. The conference aims to share academic knowledge and techniques to preserve and breed giant pandas. This will be the first time it has been held outside China. Specialists on giant panda conservation, international conservation organisations and government agencies will be joined at the conference by 140 representatives from 10 countries with institutions housing giant pandas. The representatives will present research they've undertaken on pandas in their care and exchange information on captive panda conservation strategies and techniques as well discuss domestic and international collaboration efforts. Zoo Thailand will present the findings of two major studies it has undertaken: the relationship between hormones and panda behaviour regarding mating periods and panda tension, and the planting of bamboo for giant pandas. Other research to be presented includes a study on manufacturing souvenir paper from panda droppings. During the conference, Chinese panda experts will conduct a medical check-up on Chiang Mai Zoo's pandas Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui. The Nation
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