Assessing the reproductive status of a breeding, translocated female giant panda using data from GPS collar

Reintroductions and translocations have proven to be effective measures for rescuing small, isolated populations of endangered wildlife. However, the reproductive status of released wildlife is hard to obtain. To date, a giant panda named Luxin is the only translocated giant panda that has successfully bred in the wild. Using data collected from the GPS collar attached to her, we analysed her activity and home range during a breeding year and compared these values with those collected during a non-breeding (control) year. Delivery and mating days can be identified by extremely low levels of activity or even by the absence of activity. The activity of a giant panda with an infant was low, but it increased gradually after delivery. The activity rates during both the delayed implantation period and the infant-caring period were significantly lower in the breeding year than those in the control year. In the breeding year, the home ranges during the delayed implantation period and pregnancy were larger than those in the control year, while the home range during the infant-caring period was much smaller than that in the control year. Our results suggest that GPS collars embedded with activity sensors can be used to monitor the breeding status of released female giant pandas. They can provide valuable information for decision making in future release projects, providing only small disturbances to released giant pandas.