Neuroscience For Kids
New Threat to Giant Pandas: Parasitic Worms
February 29, 2008
Starvation, excessive hunting and habitat loss are the traditional enemies of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Now these rare creatures have another foe: a worm that can infect their brains.
Chinese and American researchers have examined the medical records of 789 adult pandas that died in the wild between 1971 and 2005. These records show changing threats to the panda population:
- Between 1971 and 1985: Starvation caused 92% of all panda deaths.
- Between 1986 and 2000: Illegal hunting (poaching) caused 86% of all panda deaths.
- Between 2001 and 2005: An infection by the roundworm (Baylisascaris schroederi) caused 50% of all panda deaths.
The roundworm infections were confirmed when the researchers found an
infection in the livers, lungs, hearts and brains of the animals that
died. The parasite is spread when pandas walk through droppings with
roundworm eggs and when they lick their paws after touching infected
materials. The researchers believe that the increased number of
infections is caused by a shrinking habitat that forces more pandas to
live in a smaller area.
There are only about 1,600
wild giant pandas left on Earth. It is essential to stop any threat
to these animals before it is too late and they disappear forever.
Reference:
- Zhang, J-S., Daszak, P, Huang, H-L., Yang, G-Y., Kilpatrick, A.M. and Zhang, S., Parasite Threat to panda conservation, EcoHealth, DOI 10.1007/s10393-007-0139-8.
Copyright © 1996-2008, Eric H. Chudler, University of Washington
