Like new kids on the block, captive-born pandas have a hard time fitting in; that's why China plans to build a 21.5-acre facility to train pandas to live in the wild.
Pandas live luxurious lives in captivity because they always know where their next meal is coming from. With less than 1,600 pandas left in the wild, pandas are one of the world’s most endangered species. The survival training program (which would take at least 15 years), would allow more pandas to be on their own, and holds promise because of the difficulties in captive breeding.
Panda Survival Schools
China Plans to Build Facility to Train Pandas to Live in The Wild
Trend Themes
1. Panda Wilderness Training - Opportunity for companies to enter the market of providing animal survival training and technology to increase the success rate of reintroducing endangered animals to the wild.
2. Transitioning Captive Animals to the Wild - Providing animals with the skills to fend for themselves in the wild opens up an untapped industry revolving around training, technology, and assessment of wild-readiness of captive animals.
3. Endangered Species Survival Programs - Promoting and supporting the development of conservation and breeding programs worldwide for endangered animal species can lead to the development of new technologies and practices.
Industry Implications
1. Zoological Education Centers - Could become players in the field of introducing new skill sets and technologies for animal survival training programs.
2. Environmental Consulting - Companies that provide environmental consulting and services have an opportunity to provide new reintroduction programs, conservation education, and surveying of the natural habitats.
3. Ecotourism - Ecotourism could potentially expand their service offerings to diversify their revenue streams by not only providing tours but hosting and promoting conservation and training programs for endangered animals.