A research group has begun analyzing the air in Wolong, a giant panda habitat in China, to try and duplicate it in zoos, officials with the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center said on Thursday.

 

The scientists will try to develop an air conditioning system that will produce air similar to that in Wolong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, deputy director of the center Wang Yanbin said.

 

They will analyze temperature, humidity and airflow and conduct simulated tests to develop the system, Wang added.

 

Scientists from household appliances giant Sichuan Changhong Electric Company Limited were invited by the center, which has longed for an ideal air conditioning system for giant pandas in captivity outside Wolong.

 

The center hopes that the system will be developed before the giant panda couple Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan leave for Taiwan, though the date remains a question as Taiwan authorities are still playing the admission of the giant pandas as a political card.

 

The couple are intended as goodwill gifts from people on the Chinese mainland to Taiwan compatriots. They were selected from 23 candidates and named by public votes.

 

With a semitropical maritime climate, Taiwan would not be a comfortable place for giant pandas without air conditioning.

 

The giant panda is one of the world's most endangered species and is found only in China. It is estimated that 1,590 giant pandas live in the wild in China. Those in captivity totaled 183 on the mainland at the end of last year.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2006)