Pandas Wolong National Nature Reserve (Dr. Susan A. Mainka)

Dr.Susan A. Mainka .Sue Mainka is a Canadian veterinarian who has been working since 1987 to preserve and protect the species. Dr. Mainka was introduced to pandas in 1987 as she prepared to look after the pandas sent to Calgary for the 1988 Olympics. She was invited to return to China where she has been working ever since at the Wolong Reserve. In the eight years before Dr. Mainka arrived at Wolong, there had been only one birth. In the three years following her arrival, there were eight births. She believes that it is her job to make herself redundant by teaching the Chinese scientists all she knows. Dr. Mainka says that the Chinese people do not understand why wild animals want to be wild and this film is a good illustration of cultural differences toward endangered animals. Pandas are under threats from several areas, including poaching, destruction of their habitat, hunting, and overgrazing of the remaining habitat. Dr. Mainka believes that currently the pandas survival is too close to call. This video would be an excellent starting point for a discussion of cultural attitudes toward animals, endangered animals, conservation and research.