According to the World Wildlife Fund， at last count in 2004， there were about 1，600 pandas alive in the wild. Around 350 pandas live under human care at zoos or breeding centers globally， and roughly 50 of those are outside China.

China is the owner of all the giant pandas around the world， which are selectively loaned to other countries. The fee for a pair of pandas is usually $1 million a year， which goes to the funds of protection efforts in China. Rentals typically last for 10 years， with a renewal option.

Cost of Raising Pandas

Caring for a panda can easily cost over $1 million a year， said Dave Towne， president of the Giant Panda Conservation Foundation for North America. Aside from trainers and medical care， pandas need to eat—and theyre fussy and eat a lot. A few years ago， the U.S. National Zoo sought bamboo donations as its pandas eat too quickly through the supply.

Baby Tax and Extra Fees

Zoos are expected to make every effort to breed pandas. If newborn cubs live to about six months， centers are required to pay a $200，000 fee to China. And once the cubs reach four years of age， they have to be returned to China.

If any of the cute pandas dies on its watch due to human mistakes， the zoo needs to pay a $500，000 fine.

Zoo Selection

Countries must prove that they have the ability to breed pandas and are committed to protection. For example， pandas prefer a cool climate， the panda home should better keep a temperature around 10℃ to 20℃.

Supporting facilities and expertise dont come cheaply. Belgiums two pandas will soon arrive， and an $11 million panda home is currently under construction. In Hong Kong， special caretakers were even sent for training at panda research centers in Sichuan.

Panda Transport

After an agreement is settled， the pandas are flown to their destination with “first class treatment”. Singapore Airlines even operated a special flight to transport that countrys pandas.

Takeoff and landing are carefully timed， depending on the season or the time of the day， to ensure the fur-balls are comfortable.

World Wildlife Fund

世界野生动物基金会

breed饲养

roughly大约

loan出租

rental租赁

renewal续租

Giant Panda Conservation Foundation for North America北美大熊猫保护基金会

fussy挑剔的

cub幼崽

fine罚款

facility设备

expertise专业技术

Belgium比利时

construction建设

caretaker 管理员

（1） How many pandas currently live under human care in China？

A. About 1600. B. About 350.

C. About 300. D. About 50.

（2） What is the yearly cost of caring for a panda？

A. More than $1 million.

B. About $500，000.

C. Around $200，000.

D. About $11 million.

（3） How is Belgium preparing for the arrival of two pandas？

A. Special caretakers are receiving training at panda research centers in Sichuan.

B. An expensive home for pandas is being built.

C. A special flight has been scheduled to transport the pandas.

D. A government approval has been granted to import pandas.