Wild Pandas Research Articles

Extracellular enzyme activity and stoichiometry reveal P limitation in the wild panda habitat of the Qinling Mountains

AbstractSoil microbial extracellular enzymes play crucial roles in soil carbon and nutrient cycling by catalyzing soil biochemical processes. However, the activity and stoichiometry of enzymes involved in the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles in the environment with the highest density of wild giant pandas on the southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains is unknown. We have established eight research areas at an elevation of 1090–2621 m. The β‐1,4‐glucosidase (BG), β‐1,4‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), and acid phosphatase (APase) in soil samples were measured. We used redundancy analysis and structural equation model to evaluate the driving factors of metabolic restriction of soil microorganisms along the elevational gradient, and four models were used to cross‐evaluate the nutrient restriction status of soil microorganisms. The results showed that most soil physiochemical properties, soil microbial biomass, and microbial extracellular enzymes exhibited a hump‐shaped trend with increasing elevation. Elevation indirectly affected soil enzyme activity and stoichiometry by C, N, and P status. Microorganisms are limited by C at lower and higher elevations but limited by N at medium elevations. These results could help strengthen the conservation and management of the wild panda's natural habitat.

Progress in Research on the Gut Microflora of the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens).

Animals can adapt to unique feeding habits through changes in the structure and function of the gut microflora. However, the gut microflora is strongly influenced by the evolutionary relationships between the host, nutritional intake, intake of microorganisms, etc. The red panda (Ailurus fulgens), an herbivorous carnivore, has adapted to consuming bamboo through seasonal foraging strategies and optimization of the composition and function of its gut microflora during long-term evolution. However, to date, studies of the gut bacteria of the red panda have mainly focused on the composition, diversity and function of the gut microflora of captive individuals. There are a lack of studies on how the wild red panda adapts to the consumption of bamboo, which is high in fibre and low in nutrients, through the gut microflora. This paper reviews the technology and methods used in published studies investigating the gut microflora of the red panda, as well as the composition, diversity and function of the identified microbes and the influencing factors. Furthermore, this paper suggests future research directions regarding the methodology employed in analyzing the red panda gut microflora, the interplay between gut microflora and the health of the red panda, the red panda's adaptation to its gut microflora, and the implications of these studies for the management and conservation of wild red pandas. The goal of this review is to provide a reference for the protection of wild red pandas from the perspective of the gut microflora.

Pseudomonas-associated bacteria play a key role in obtaining nutrition from bamboo for the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Although giant pandas only feed on bamboo, the mechanism of lignin digestion in pandas is unclear. Here, the metabolic pathways for lignin degradation in wild pandas were explored by comparing gut metagenomic from species with different feeding habits. Results showed that lignin degradation central pathways, including beta-ketoadipate and homogentisate pathway, were enriched in the gut of wild bamboo-eating pandas. Genes from pathways involved in degrading ferulate and p-coumarate via beta-ketoadipate pathway were also enriched in bamboo-eating pandas. The final products of the above process, such as acetyl-CoA, can potentially provide the raw materials for metabolism in pandas. Specifically, Pseudomonas, as the most dominant gut bacteria genus, mainly provides genes involved in lignin degradation. Herein, Pseudomonas-associated strains isolated from the feces of pandas could degrade extracellular lignin. These findings suggest that gut microbiome of pandas is crucial in obtaining nutrition from lignin via Pseudomonas, as the main lignin-degrading bacteria.

A comprehensive analysis of antibiotic resistance genes in the giant panda gut.

In this study, we have successfully constructed a comprehensive database of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) pertaining to the gut microbiota of the giant panda. Through our analysis, we have identified significant reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), namely Escherichia coli, Citrobacter portucalensis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Furthermore, we have elucidated the primary contributors to ARGs, including Streptococcus alactolyticus and Clostridium SGBP116, in both captive and wild pandas. Additionally, our findings have demonstrated a higher prevalence of ARGs in the metagenome, with notable expression of the RPOB2 gene in S. alactolyticus. Crucially, 1217 ARGs shared homology with human gut ARGs, underscoring the interaction relationship between pandas and human microbiomes. These findings are instrumental in understanding the antibiotic resistance landscape in the giant panda's gut, providing a framework for developing strategies to combat antibiotic resistance and safeguard the health of this endangered species.

The Science Underlying Giant Panda Conservation Translocations.

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is the flagship species of animal conservation worldwide, and the number of captive pandas reached 673 in 2021. According to the Fourth National Survey Report on the Giant Panda, there are 1864 wild pandas, segregated into 33 local populations, and 25 of these populations are too small to be self-sustaining. In addition to the conservation and restoration of panda habitats, conservation translocations, an approach that has been shown to be effective in slowing or reversing biodiversity loss, are highly desirable for panda conservation. The captive-bred panda population has grown rapidly, laying the foundation for releasing captive-bred pandas into the wild. This paper reviews the scientific advances in conservation translocations of pandas. Studies have shown that before translocation conservation programs are implemented, we should determine what factors are causing the depletion of the original population at the release site. The selection of suitable release sites and individuals will help to improve the survival rate of released individuals in the wild. Pre-release training and post-release monitoring are essential to ensure successful releases. We also see the great potential for increasing applications of Adaptive Management to improve the success of giant panda conservation translocation programs. This review provides theoretical guidance for improvement of the success rate in conservation translocations for captive pandas, and uses the panda as a model species to provide a global reference for the conservation translocations of rare and endangered species.

PandaGUT provides new insights into bacterial diversity, function, and resistome landscapes with implications for conservation

BackgroundThe gut microbiota play important roles in host adaptation and evolution, but are understudied in natural population of wild mammals. To address host adaptive evolution and improve conservation efforts of threatened mammals from a metagenomic perspective, we established a high-quality gut microbiome catalog of the giant panda (pandaGUT) to resolve the microbiome diversity, functional, and resistome landscapes using approximately 7 Tbp of long- and short-read sequencing data from 439 stool samples.ResultsThe pandaGUT catalog comprises 820 metagenome-assembled genomes, including 40 complete closed genomes, and 64.5% of which belong to species that have not been previously reported, greatly expanding the coverage of most prokaryotic lineages. The catalog contains 2.37 million unique genes, with 74.8% possessing complete open read frames, facilitating future mining of microbial functional potential. We identified three microbial enterotypes across wild and captive panda populations characterized by Clostridium, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia, respectively. We found that wild pandas exhibited host genetic-specific microbial structures and functions, suggesting host-gut microbiota phylosymbiosis, while the captive cohorts encoded more multi-drug resistance genes.ConclusionsOur study provides largely untapped resources for biochemical and biotechnological applications as well as potential intervention avenues via the rational manipulation of microbial diversity and reducing antibiotic usage for future conservation management of wildlife.6KUVWwvzFXHebBwiyZoAvnVideo

Gut microbiome as a key monitoring indicator for reintroductions of captive animals.

Reintroduction programs seek to restore degraded populations and reverse biodiversity loss. To examine the hypothesis that gut symbionts could be used as an indicator of reintroduction success, we performed intensive metagenomic monitoring over 10 years to characterize the ecological succession and adaptive evolution of the gut symbionts of captive giant pandas reintroduced to the wild. We collected 63 fecal samples from 3 reintroduced individuals and 22 from 9 wild individuals and used 96 publicly available samples from another 3 captive individuals. By microbial composition analysis, we identified 3 community clusters of the gut microbiome (here termed enterotypes) with interenterotype succession that was closely related to the reintroduction process. Each of the 3 enterotypes was identified based on significant variation in the levels of 1 of 3 genera: Clostridium, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia. The enterotype of captive pandas was Escherichia. This enterotype was gradually replaced by the Clostridium enterotype during the wild-training process, which in turn was replaced by the Pseudomonas enterotype that resembled the enterotype of wild pandas, an indicator of conversion to wildness and a successful reintroduction. We also isolated 1 strain of Pseudomonas protegens from the wild enterotype, a previously reported free-living microbe, and found that its within-host evolution contributed to host dietary adaptation in the wild. Monitoring gut microbial structure provides a novel, noninvasive tool that can be used as an indicator of successful reintroduction of a captive individual to the wild.

Understanding Circadian and Circannual Behavioral Cycles of Captive Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Can Help to Promote Good Welfare.

Circadian and circannual cycles of behavior regulate many aspects of welfare including metabolism, breeding, and behavioral interactions. In this study, we aim to demonstrate how systematically determining circadian and circannual cycles can provide insight into animals' needs and be part of an evidence-based approach to welfare assessment. We measured and analyzed the observational behavioral data of 13 zoo-housed giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), across life stages and between sexes, each month for one year using live camera footage from six zoos across the world. Our results indicate that life stage was associated with changes in overall activity, feeding, locomotion, and pacing, and that sex influenced scent anointing and anogenital rubbing. Overall, the circadian rhythms showed three peaks of activity, including a nocturnal peak, as seen in wild giant pandas. We also found associations between sexual-related, stereotypical/abnormal, and feeding behavior, which are possibly linked to the timing of migration of wild pandas, and elucidated the relationship between a mother and cub, finding that they concentrate maternal behaviors to mainly after closing hours. Understanding these cycle patterns can aid animal care staff in predicting changing needs throughout the day, year, and life cycle and preemptively provide for those needs to best avoid welfare concerns.

Mortality analysis of captive red panda cubs within Chengdu, China

BackgroundThe red panda has been classified as an endangered species due to the decreased number in the world and disease is considered as a great threat to the health and survival of the cubs in captivity.ResultsThis study analyzed 32 red panda cub mortalities (15 females and 17 males, age less than two months) through gross necropsy, microbiological examination, and histopathological observation at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China, during 2014–2020. The results showed that screenings for canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, rotavirus and parasite infection were all negative, however bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas were isolated from the tissue samples of some cubs. The major causes of death were respiratory (43.75%) and digestive system disease (28.13%), followed by cardiovascular disease (12.5%) and neonatal stillbirths (9.38%). Renal system diseases and trauma were also detected, at lower incidence (one case for each). The mortality rate within 15 days of birth was 68.75% and gradually decreased with age, there was no significant difference in gender.ConclusionThis study can provide a scientific basis for the analysis of the cause of death among red panda cubs in captivity, so as to improve the survival rate, help build the captive population and further the ex-situ conservation management of this endangered species. Additionally, our research may also provide insights into the in-situ conservation of wild red pandas by identifying emerging disease threats within the wild population and potential treatment for rescued individuals.

Functional convergence of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey and bamboo-eating panda gut microbiomes revealing the driving by dietary flexibility on mammal gut microbiome

The gut microbiomes of non-human primates have received a great deal of attention due to their close relationship to humans. In recent years, these studies have mainly focused on the gut microbiome of wild primates, which will be helpful to understanding the evolution of primates and their gut microbiomes (e.g., gut microbiome plasticity and diet flexibility). However, there is still a lack of basic information on the gut microbiomes from wild populations. Here, we investigated the gut microbial composition (16S rRNA gene) and function (metagenome and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs)) of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey populations in Weixi County, Yunnan Province, China, that had diets either completely based on wild-foraging or were regularly supplemented with human provisioned food. We found a significant difference in the gut microbiome between these two populations: the gut microbiome of the wild-foraging (no food provision) population was enriched genes involved in the detoxification of bamboo cyanide (high proportion of bamboo shoot intake) and chitin (from insect diet) digestion, while the gut microbiome of the food provisioned (e.g., fruits) wild populations were enriched genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, the gut microbiome of the wild-foraging population shared a putatively functional convergence with the gut microbiome of wild bamboo-eating pandas: such as microbes and genes involved in the cyanide detoxification. Therefore, the gut microbiome of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey displayed the potential plasticity in response to diet flexibility. Long-term food-provisioning of the wild population has led to dramatic changes in gut microbial composition, function, and even antibiotic resistance. The antibiotic resistance profile for the wild Yunnan snub-nosed monkey population could be considered the baseline and an important piece of information for conservation.

Editorial 2022

Editorial 2022

Virome in Fecal Samples From Wild Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca).

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the most endangered mammals in the world; anthropogenic habitat loss and poaching still threaten the survival of wild pandas. Viral infection has become one of the potential threats to the health of these animals, but the available information related to these infections is still limited. In order to detect possible vertebrate viruses, the virome in the fecal samples of seven wild giant pandas from Qinling Mountains was investigated by using the method of viral metagenomics. From the fecal virome of wild giant pandas, we determined six nearly complete genomes belonging to the order Picornavirales, two of which may be qualified as a novel virus family or genus. In addition, four complete genomes belonging to the Genomoviridae family were also fully characterized. This virological investigation has increased our understanding of the gut viral community in giant pandas. Whether these viruses detected in fecal samples can really infect giant panda needs further research.

Seasonal variation and positive matrix factorization result reveal the sources of giant pandas’ exposure to POPs

Persistent organic pollutant (POPs) contamination was analyzed in samples collected from wild and captive giant pandas to characterize seasonal variation in concentrations of POPs and possible sources. POP concentrations in bamboo and fecal samples collected from captive pandas showed significant fluctuations compared with those collected from wild pandas in each season. The highest polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and organochlorine pesticide (OCP) concentrations were 1380 pg g−1 dw and 3140 pg g−1 dw, respectively, which were observed in captive bamboo samples in the summer. PCBs varied seasonally, whereas OCPs did not show apparent seasonal variation. Based on the seasonal variability, component analysis, and the positive matrix factorization results, we determined that the secondary volatilization of POPs during periods of high temperatures was the leading cause of the exposure of pandas to pollutants (45%), and atmospheric transport played a crucial role in the secondary distribution of pollutants in panda food. The other two sources of pollution were historical residues transmitted over long distances to protected areas (28%), as well as UP-POPs and new inputs from agricultural activities (27%). The concentrations of pollutants in bamboo shoots were significantly lower than those in bamboo. Therefore, bamboo shoots should be incorporated into the diet of captive pandas in the spring to reduce their exposure to pollutants. The absorption capacity of pollutants associated with the consumption of bamboo shoots was significantly lower than that associated with the consumption of bamboo. The diet of young captive pandas in the summer should also be managed with caution given their slightly stronger ability to absorb pollutants.

Improved Trapping and Handling of an Arboreal, Montane Mammal: Red Panda Ailurus fulgens.

Simple SummaryCapture and handling is essential to study some biological and ecological properties of free-ranging animals. However, capturing an arboreal and cryptic species such as the red panda is challenging due to the difficult terrain, their elusive nature, and potential risks to human and animal safety. We developed and successfully tested a protocol for tracking, capture, immobilization, and handling of red pandas. This method could also be used, with some modifications, for other arboreal species. This study extends the known range of body weight and length of free-ranging red pandas. We also report some new morphometric data that could serve as a guide for field identification.It is sometimes essential to have an animal in the hand to study some of their ecological and biological characteristics. However, capturing a solitary, cryptic, elusive arboreal species such as the red panda in the wild is challenging. We developed and successfully tested a protocol for tracking, trapping, immobilization, and handling of red pandas in the wild in eastern Nepal. We established a red panda sighting rate of 0.89 panda/day with a capture success rate of 0.6. We trapped and collared one animal in 3.7 days. On average, we took nearly 136 (range 50–317) min to capture an animal after spotting it. Further processing was completed in 38.5 (21–70) min. Before capture, we found it difficult to recognize the sex of the red panda and to differentiate sub-adults above six months from adults. However, body weight, body length, tail length, shoulder height, and chest girth can be used for diagnosis, as these attributes are smaller in sub-adults. Our method is a welfare-friendly way of trapping and handling wild red pandas. We report new morphometric data that could serve as a guide for field identification.

Genetic assessment of captive red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) in American zoos to address management separation by putative subspecies.

Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) are small charismatic mammals native across montane southern Asia, now endangered by human impacts. They are considered "living fossils" as the sole member of a distinct family, warranting higher conservation priority. Therefore, ex situ breeding programs were initiated to prevent extinction and act as genetic reservoirs for reintroduction, although complicated by apparent taxonomic subdivision. This study investigated whether the separation of captive red pandas in the North American Species Survival Plan® by putative subspecies was justified. A 383-bp segment of mitochondrial DNA control region was therefore sequenced from 67 members representing matriarchal lineages of both groups. A network analysis placed the 11 haplotypes found into separate but closely connected clusters, with one group more strongly related than the other. Statistical analyses and diversity indices corroborated differentiation between the two management units. Phylogenetic analyses employing multiple outgroups confirmed, although not robustly, reciprocal monophyly of the four- and seven-haplotype clades representing putative subspecies Ailurus fulgens fulgens and Ailurus fulgens styani, respectively. These empirical results are adequate to justify continued independent management of these zoo subpopulations, but cannot be definitive for taxonomic classification due to limited sampling from their native range. They will, however, be useful in evaluating long-term genetic diversity changes, focusing management efforts on newly revealed evolutionary limitations, and comparing with an assessment of wild red pandas to determine how representative zoo populations are for reintroduction purposes. Maintaining genetic diversity and population structure of endangered species is essential to protect evolutionary potential and adaptations for long-term sustainability.

Diet, habitat environment and lifestyle conversion affect the gut microbiomes of giant pandas

Gut microbiota (GM) are important for the health of giant pandas (GPs), in addition to the utilization of bamboo in their diets. However, it is not fully understood how diet, habitat environment and lifestyle contribute to the composition of GM in GP. Consequently, we evaluated how dietary changes, habitat environment conversions and lifestyle shifts influence the GM of GPs using high-throughput sequencing and genome-resolved metagenomics. The GM of GPs were more similar when their hosts exhibited the same diet. High fiber diets significantly increased the diversity and decreased the richness of gut bacterial communities alone or interacted with the age factor (p < 0.05). The abundances of Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Acinetobacter, and Clostridium significantly increased during diet conversion process (Non-parametric factorial Kruskal-Wallis sum-rank test, LDA > 4). Reconstruction of 60 metagenome-assembled-genomes (MAGs) indicated that these bacteria were likely responsible for bamboo digestion via gene complements involved in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin degradation. While habitat environment may play a more important role in shaping the GM of GP, lifestyle can also greatly affect bacterial communities. The GM structure in reintroduced GPs notably converged to that of wild pandas. Importantly, the main bacterial genera of wild GPs could aid in lignin degradation, while those of reintroduced GPs were related to cellulose and hemicellulose digestion. Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Acinetobacter, and Clostridium may contribute to lignocellulose digestion in GP. The results revealed that diet conversion, habitat environment and lifestyle could remarkably influence the GM of GP. In addition, results suggested that increasing the ability of lignin degradation with GM may aid to change the GM of reintroduced pandas to resemble those of wild pandas.

Scent communication behavior by giant pandas

Behavioral strategies used in scent communication can reflect the adaptive capacity of animals. Signal detection theory and the principle of least effort posit that scent marking must be efficient and energy maximizing. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a solitary species that relies heavily on scent communication. There have been few studies on scent communication of wild pandas due to their elusive nature. To deepen the understanding of scent communication in this vulnerable species, we analyze a novel dataset obtained from integrating transect surveys on scent marked trees with infrared camera trapping of wild giant pandas performing scent marking and scent investigation behaviors. We found that pandas selected large coniferous trees for scent marking relative to what was available. Of the scent marked trees, trees that were more frequently marked than others were those of preferred species, high elevation, at topographical aspects conducive for odor transmission, with larger surrounding trees, and at gentle slopes. There were three peaks in the frequency of scent communication throughout the year in October, December, and March, the third period overlapping with the mating season. Scent communication occurred mainly during daytime hours, peaking at dusk (18:00–20:00). Frequency of anogenital gland secretion (AGS) markings were significantly greater than urine markings during the mating season but not during other times of year, which may reflect their stronger capacity to convey estrus state of females during mating season. The findings enrich the understanding of giant panda scent communication, and more broadly emphasize the importance of considering scent communication for conservation efforts such as corridor design for this vulnerable species.

Review on parasites of wild and captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): Diversity, disease and conservation impact.

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a rare species with a small global population size, and lives in the wild in only a few fragmented mountain ranges of Southwest China. Parasitic infections are among the important causes of death of giant pandas that hamper their group development. We reviewed the parasitic infections prevailing in giant pandas, and the parasitic diversity, diseases and their impact on conservation of this animal. A total of 35 parasitic species were documented in giant pandas, belonging to nematode (n = 6), trematode (n = 1), cestode (n = 2), protozoa (n = 9), and ectozoa (n = 17 (tick = 13, mite = 2, and flea = 2)). Among them, Baylisascaris schroederi had the highest prevalence and was the leading cause of death for giant pandas. Some parasites caused asymptomatic infections in giant pandas, and their health implications for the pandas remain unknown. As a whole, parasites are reported to be an important threat to the conservation of the giant pandas. Regular deworming and environmental disinfection appear to be effective ways to prevent captive giant pandas from parasitoses. In wild panda populations, parasitic control measures are suggested to include detailed examination of the ecology of the host-parasite assembly, with particular attention to density-dependent transmission. The parasitic pathogenesis and detection methods together with their biology, epidemiology, treatment, prevention and control need to be further studied for better protection of giant pandas from parasitoses.

Seasonal dynamics of parasitism and stress physiology in wild giant pandas.

Many factors, including the inner status of the individuals and external environment, can influence the parasite infections and stress physiology in mammals. Here, we explored the influence of the sex, age, reproductive season and seasonal food availability on the parasitism and stress physiology in wild giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) through nutrient and steroid hormone analysis and parasitic infection measurement. Diet composition had significant influences on the faecal cortisol levels and parasite load of wild giant pandas. The seasonal dynamic of the cortisol levels and parasite load in faeces co-vary with the seasonal nutrient intake levels of the pandas, which concurrently arrived the peaks at the wood bamboo shoot-eating period in May (parasite infection intensity, 41.47 ± 12.11 eggs/g of wet faeces; cortisol levels, 619.34 ± 70.55ng/g dry faeces) that the nutrition intake by wild pandas was the highest (protein/fibre, 69.23 ± 9.93). Meanwhile, age class is also as an important factor to affect the parasite load and stress physiology of wild giant pandas. Cubs and sub-adults suffered more helminth burden and stress physiology than adults and old individuals. This is the first study to evaluate the inner and external factors influence on parasitism and stress physiology in wild giant pandas. The findings facilitate a better understanding of how environmental factors might influence the physiology, behaviour and health of pandas and other species and have implications for the conservation and management of the endangered species.

Gut microbiota in reintroduction of giant panda.

Reintroduction is a key approach in the conservation of endangered species. In recent decades, many reintroduction projects have been conducted for conservation purposes, but the rate of success has been low. Given the important role of gut microbiota in health and diseases, we questioned whether gut microbiota would play a crucial role in giant panda's wild‐training process. The wild procedure is when captive‐born babies live with their mothers in a wilderness enclosure and learn wilderness survival skills from their mothers. During the wild‐training process, the baby pandas undergo wilderness survival tests and regular physical examinations. Based on their performance through these tests, the top subjects (age 2–3 years old) are released into the wild while the others are translocated to captivity. After release, we tracked one released panda (Zhangxiang) and collected its fecal samples for 5 months (January 16, 2013 to March 29 2014). Here, we analyzed the Illumina HiSeq sequencing data (V4 region of 16S rRNA gene) from captive pandas (n = 24), wild‐training baby pandas (n = 8) of which 6 were released and 2 were unreleased, wild‐training mother pandas (n = 8), one released panda (Zhangxiang), and wild giant pandas (n = 18). Our results showed that the gut microbiota of wild‐training pandas is significantly different from that of wild pandas but similar to that of captive ones. The gut microbiota of the released panda Zhangxiang gradually changed to become similar to those of wild pandas after release. In addition, we identified several bacteria that were enriched in the released baby pandas before release, compared with the unreleased baby pandas. These bacteria include several known gut‐health related beneficial taxa such as Roseburia, Coprococcus, Sutterella, Dorea, and Ruminococcus. Therefore, our results suggest that certain members of the gut microbiota may be important in panda reintroduction.