Scientists at a panda research center in China's Sichuan province have successfully copied a gene in the giant panda's reproduction hormone.

It's hoped the breakthrough at the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu will help increase the birth rate of pandas by improving the ovulation of female pandas.

Experts say most female pandas in captivity suffer difficulties with ovulation.

China is pouring tens of millions of dollars into the program in the hope of speeding up the birth rate of giant pandas in captivity, so they can one day release them into the wild.

Panda's slow birthrate is one reason pandas have failed to adapt in their natural environment.

Artificial insemination has also helped in overcoming the panda's problems in procreating.

Since the first artificially conceived cub in 1963, 210 have been born in China and 20 overseas - but only about half have survived to adulthood.

Scientists estimate the number of giant pandas in the wild has dropped by half in the last two decades. A survey in April counted fewer than one-thousand.

(People's Daily November 26, 2002)