Because there are only 1,864 pandas left in the wild, each one is unique. Because wild pandas have a low birthrate, they are a particularly endangered species. Qizai, 10 years old, stands out even more because of his brown and white fur.
Since 1985, just five brown-and-white panda sightings have been reported in the Qinling Mountains, the sole known home of these endangered animals. We’d heard some exciting rumors regarding his future, but the truth was rather different. Despite the fact that the situation was bad, there is a silver lining.
Qizai’s brown-and-white coat has piqued the interest of panda fans for quite some time. “Brown-and-white pandas have only been sighted in the Qinling Mountains,” according to American vet Kathering Feng, who photographed him in 2015 and is a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. It’s possible that a genetic mutation is to cause. “Qinling Mountain pandas are divided into subspecies that are unique from other mountain pandas.”
A double recessive gene, a mix of alleles, or a dilution factor gene has been proposed as a genetic explanation for the panda’s brown and white colour.” “Qi Zai’s mother was a mixed-race woman,” she said.
Scientists are keen to eventually solve the mystery of Qizai’s coat’s distinctive pattern, as only five brown pandas have been seen in the last 35 years. The news of his adoption by Pandas International, a non-profit located in the United States, offers us renewed hope that we may one day find the truth.
The story of this massive furball who was found abandoned and weak in the Qinling Mountains in central China after his mother left him and retreated into the woods brought us to tears a decade ago. Staff nursed him back to health by giving him panda milk from the center’s resident panda mothers, and he was able to return home to his family.
He resumed eating on bamboo, as all pandas do after recovering their strength. If he had, the black-and-white cubs would have grabbed it from him. The staff, on the other hand, kept a tight check on the friendly giant and made sure he grew up to be a strong and healthy adult.
Despite his hard beginnings as a baby, an 18-year-old female panda was supposed to provide him happiness. The keeper of Qizai, on the other hand, was concerned with matters other than his pet’s enjoyment. They were also intrigued about what gives him his distinct coat, and duplicating it may have supplied some answers. According to He Xin, He’s caregiver, a gene mutation might explain it, but there’s no way of knowing for sure.
Unfortunately, the mating of Qizai and Zhu Zhu did not result in a child. This is not uncommon due to panda birthrates being exceedingly low. Their own laziness is a contributing element. Whatever the case may be. “But he’s also cuter,” Qizai’s caretaker admitted, admitting that the panda was a little more laid-back than other pandas.
