Xiang Xiang (giant panda)

Xiang Xiang (August 25 2001 [cite news | title = China releases panda to the wild | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4953106.stm | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-04-28 | accessdate = 2007-08-04] – February 19, 2007) was the first giant panda to be released into the wild after being bred and raised in captivity. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6673126,00.html] Born at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center in the Sichuan Province, Xiang Xiang endured a three year training regimen intended to equip him with the skills necessary to survive in the wild. [cite news | title = Human-raised giant panda able to survive in wild | url = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/09/content_4155973.htm | date = 2006-02-09 | accessdate = 2007-08-04] Fitted with a radio-collar upon his release in April 2006, the five-year-old male was tracked each month to check his movements and feeding habits. [cite video | people = Horstman, Mark | year = 2006 | date = October 5 | title = Panda Pioneer | url = http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1755621.htm | format = .asx/.ram | publisher = ABC | accessdate = 2007-08-04] Despite this extensive preparation, Xiang Xiang was found dead less than a year after his release. The Xinhua News Agency announced the panda's death May 31, 2007, over three months after the incident occurred, citing "the need for a full investigation" [http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/31/ap3773265.html] as the reason for the delay. Officials from the Research Center determined that a fall from the trees was the probable cause of death. Scratches on Xiang Xiang's body suggest that he was probably being pursued by other pandas when he fell. [cite news | title = Panda that was released into wild dies | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18953949/ | publisher = MSNBC | date = 2007-05-31 | accessdate = 2007-08-04]

Although his body was found on Fenruary 19, 2007, Xiang Xiang likely died as early as January 7 when the signal from his radio collar stopped. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/may/31/china.endangeredspecies

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