What are the steps to get a giant panda in the US?

Question

What are some of the hurdles (legal or otherwise) to obtaining a panda from China or a zoo? Let's assume a budget of under $1 million US. Alternatives for over $1 million also ok if it just isn't possible for less.

Best answer should include a general check list of things to do and should not include "how to capture a giant panda in the wild."

note: this mostly just to understand the process.

Answer 1

Any panda outside of china is here on lease from the chinese government. They do not belong to anyone except China and all permissions must be granted from them. From what i recall of the importation it has to do with the facilities and personnell and their reputation for breeding captive animals along with their dedication to this particular species along with some serious wooing from management. I would doubt that any reputable organization could spend less than $5 million to create an appropriate habitat that would interest the chinese government into looking into loaning a panda. I can't imagine, given their demand, that the chinese government would even think about loaning to something other than a well-established facility with top rate people and environments.

Answer 2

Unless you were a Zoo manager I dont think anyone would know the answer to that kind of question. I do know however that Panda Bears are considered Chinese property. That all Panda's currently in the United States and other countries are still techniqually considered China's Property and are on Loan to the Zoo's. If babies are born, the babies also belong to China soley and the Chinese goverment decideds with which Pandas those babies can breed and where they go from that point on. They normally request the babies to be returned to China for a breeding program. There are so few Pandas in the wild that they dont go catching anymore, they protect the ones they know about. On occasion they go into the mountains to find them and collect sperm from males but generally they leave the wild ones alone and dont capture any more, only if there are in threat of disease or possible confrontations with farmers or urban life. They will then take them to one of there Sanctuaries. Its not a matter of money, because no Chinese offical will let you as a private owner, have a Panda Bear, well not untill they are off the critically endangered species list.

Answer 3

Well, since this is under "Pets," then the answer is

That is illegal.