China´s quake-hit panda breeding base to be rebuilt

The reserve had been in operation since 1963 and had 143 wild pandas in the third national panda count in 2000, taking 10 percent of the total across the country. It had 128 captive pandas, taking 60 percent of the world's total.

The new reserve would protect the animal in a more scientific way, Zhang said.

Research institutions and protection facilities will be built, such as the China Panda-protection Research Center, Panda Disease Control Center, and hospitals.

Residents will be transferred to 14 permanent residences as there former residences will be cleared for the planting of bamboo, Zhang said.

The damaged original 4,500 hectare habitat will be closed.

"The reserve will be built to be a first class protection base and research center in the world," he said.

Editor:Liu Anqi