Breeding base denies mite infections caused pandas' whitening eye rims

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding responded to public concerns on Jan. 25 saying that reports the whitening eye rims of eight giant pandas were caused by mite infections are groundless at the moment, and the base will investigate further, China Central Television reported.

Giant panda, Qiyi, eats bamboo leaves at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province on January 25, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

"We have repeatedly used microscopes to diagnose mite infection conditions via dander under pandas' eye rims, but have failed to find any evidence to prove that whitening eye rims are linked to mite infections," said Wang Chengdong, an expert at the base.

According to the base, apart from a loss of hair on eye rims, the pandas have no other symptoms; they eat well and act normally.

Giant panda, Qiyi, at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province on February 28, 2017. [Photo: Chinanews.com/An Yuan, VCG]

Staff member Wu Kongju said the base has taken measures to prevent and cure parasites, including mites. Parasite infection remains only one of the possible reasons behind the hair loss, but it will take much longer to confirm the cause due to the rarity of the species, Wu said.

As the investigation continues, the base remains open to public inquiries about the pandas' situation.