Quake damage complicates mating for pandas   

芦山强震致大熊猫“约会”更艰难

由专家组公布的“4·20”芦山强震后生态和大熊猫栖息地受损的评估情况认为，该区域生态受损较为严重，地震可能导致大熊猫栖息地岛屿化、破碎化，削弱和阻断着大熊猫的迁徙和遗传交流。今后，它们“谈恋爱”、“约会”将更加艰难。

Chengdu (CNS) -- It will be more difficult for giant pandas in the quake-hit Lushan area to mate and breed, experts have said after a post-quake evaluation.

A team formed from science institutes in Sichuan province has carried out an evaluation of panda habitats following the earthquake that shook southwest China last month.

Aerial remote sensing images before and after the quake showed that giant panda habitats have become fragmented, which will obstruct panda migration and communication.

Baoxing county, which forms an important corridor connecting Qionglai Mountain and Daxiangling, two main panda habitats, has been severely stricken by the quake, said Li Rongwei, former deputy head of the Sichuan Academy of Forestry.

Experts said the block may lead to inbreeding, which could result in decreased fitness of pandas.