Giant panda living in captivity in China. (Photo credit: David Schroeter, flickr.com)
The population of captive giant pandas in China is genetically healthy, a new study shows.
Researchers have observed high levels of genetic diversity and low levels of inbreeding in pandas living in four Chinese breeding centres. The researchers came to their conclusion after analayzing 240 pandas out of 341 that are kept in captivity.
The authors hope that breeding centres will combine this genetic data with pedigree data in order to ensure that pandas can maintain genetic diversity once released back in the wild.
Original research paper published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution on July 22, 2014.
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