Panda envoys build ties with Scotland

Jaguar Land Rover funds symposium about preservation

When Bob Grace first set eyes on two giant pandas currently living in the Edinburgh Zoo, it had a tremendous impact on him, the president of Jaguar Land Rover China said.

"It became clearer why people in the UK and all over the world are so fond of this creature and recognize the importance of its protection," he said.

Grace came to the Scottish city to sign a 100,000-pound ($159,000) sponsorship agreement with the zoo to hold a giant panda preservation symposium from Sept 10 to 12 in conjunction with a China-UK education initiative.

Placing great importance on nature and wildlife protection, Jaguar Land Rover China chose to support the symposium's efforts towards giant panda conservation.

Spearheaded by the Royal Zoological Society Scotland, the three-day symposium gathered local officials and more than 65 experts from around the world to help develop a five-year research plan for giant pandas, which will have global ramifications on how the animals are cared for in zoos around the world and in Chinese preserves.

Jeremy Peat, chairman of Royal Zoological Society Scotland, said the symposium was an excellent platform for experts around the world to communicate and share experiences.

"It is hoped that the results will enrich the global effort to see one of the world's most endangered species once again thrive in the wild," Peat said.

Five key areas

The giant panda research plan will be centered on five key areas - field ecology, genetic management, artificial breeding and infant panda care, veterinary management and research, as well as cognitive evolution and behavior research.

"I feel great pride that Jaguar Land Rover can lend a hand in the preservation of giant pandas, especially since they are a symbol of worldwide friendship and peace," Grace said.

"By supporting this world-class symposium, we hope to deliver fruitful results that contribute to the survival of giant pandas and support the eventual release of these animals back into the wild where they belong."

Edinburgh Zoo is home to the UK's only giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang, who arrived in December 2011.

The pandas are under custodianship of the Royal Zoological Society Scotland, and the final approval for the pandas' 10-year residence in Scotland was provided by the China Wildlife Conservation Association, an organization dedicated to giant panda conservation since 1983.

"Only 12 months after they came, 900,000 visitors had said hello to the two cute pandas in Edinburgh Zoo, an increase of 50 percent.

The number was even more than twice the population of Edinburgh city," Peat said. "And now all the citizens in Scotland have their fingers cross for pregnant Tian Tian, with high hopes that she can give birth to the first panda baby here in Edinburgh."

Animal nutrition, genetics, embryology, immunology and veterinary medicine are all part of the research being funded entirely from the Royal Zoological Society Scotland. Scotland has particular expertise in these areas, Peat said.

It is this expertise and the research facilities available within Edinburgh that have helped the city receive this prestigious gift.

Chris West, CEO of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said that the society is delighted to cooperate with Jaguar Land Rover China to bring key scientists and researchers from around the globe to Scotland for the Jaguar Land Rover Giant Panda Research Symposium.

"With conservation, research and education being the founding goals of our society, we are delighted to announce these synergetic events and activities and look forward to working with Jaguar Land Rover to bring them to fruition," he said.

Following the symposium, JLR China will continue to work with the society on an education program aimed at enhancing relations between China and the UK.

Developed by the Royal Zoological Society Scotland Discovery and Learning Team, the program will "also advocate cultural exchange by creating learning packs on Chinese culture and distributing them to students across the UK, setting up a unique Confucius classroom at the Edinburgh Zoo as well as funding a summer learning trip to China in 2014 for Scottish students", West said.

Social responsibility

Though it is a latecomer to the China market compared with other international automakers, Grace said Jaguar Land Rover has never fallen behind other companies in terms of corporate social responsibilities.

The British manufacturer of premium cars established its national sales company headquartered in Shanghai in July 2010, and has since seen China grow into its largest national market in the world from 2012, with a year-on-year sales surge of 70 percent.

"Based on our stable business situation, JLR China is committed to playing a full and active part in the Chinese community through various CSR programs dedicated to supporting three core pillars - environmental protection, education and community," Grace said.

Jaguar was one of the first automakers to announce a donation of 3 million yuan to the disaster area after a deadly earthquake rocked Ya'an, Sichuan province, a major reserve area for pandas, on April 20. Part of the funds went toward the reconstruction of a middle school in Tianquan county.

"And I promised I will deliver an English class as a volunteer teacher to the students once this first Jaguar Land Rover Hope Primary School opens," said Grace.

Jaguar has also kicked off a series of training programs for professional technicians and engineers in the automotive industry in China.

"In the coming six to 12 months, JLR China will launch more new CSR projects for local communities.

"For our company, the CSR initiatives are not part of the marketing strategy, but a long-term commitment to giving back to society and helping to improve the living standards of local people," Grace said.