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Chirping and baaing: The language of love for pandas

Researchers in China say they have decoded 13 vocalisations for pandas, including noises expressed during courting

A Giant Panda in the Wolong Valley Panda Reserve, Sichuan, China
A Giant Panda in the Wolong Valley Panda Reserve, Sichuan, China Credit: Photo: Alamy

Chirping and baaing is the language of love for pandas, according to Chinese scientists who claim to have decoded 13 different vocalisation for the endangered animal.

Research found that male pandas are said to baa like sheep if they are courting a mate, while females chirp if they are interested, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The noises are among a range of barks, roars and squeaks that have been analysed by Chinese doctors who are desperate to boost numbers of an animal that is under threat due to a loss of habitat and their notoriously low reproductive rate.

A captive panda eating a more traditional meal of bamboo

“Trust me. Our researchers were so confused when we began the project that they wondered if they were studying a panda, a bird, a dog, or a sheep,” said Zhang Hemin, the head of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, which carried out the study.

“If we can understand their language, it will help us protect the animal, especially in the wild.”

Sounds expressed by panda cubs were among those decoded, including ‘gee-gee’ (‘I’m hungry’), ‘wow-wow’ (not happy) and 'coo-coo' (nice).

A baby panda is seen in Ya'an Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province

"Adult giant pandas usually are solitary, so the only language teacher they have is their own mother," Mr Zhang said.

The centre, in the south-west Sichuan province, has been researching ‘panda linguistics’ since 2010, Xinhua said.

It aims to set up a “panda translator” that would use voice-recognition technology”, the news agency added, without providing details.

Giant panda Mei Xiang sleeps on a rock at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, DC.

The findings of the research were met with scepticism by some on China’s social media websites.

“How is this panda’s consciously expressing their affections for each other,” one said. “This is basically just the sound of mating.”

Giant panda triplet cubs reunited with mum Ju Xiao at Chimelong Wildlife Park
Giant panda triplet cubs at the Chimelong Wildlife Park

Less than 2,000 pandas live in the wild, and all of them are found in China. More than 300 live in captivity, with more than half at the centre which carried out the study.

Additional reporting by Ailin Tang