• 1. The giant panda as a social, biological and conservation phenomenon; 2. The giant panda biomedical survey: how it began and the value of people working together across cultures and disciplines; 3. Factors limiting reproductive success in the giant panda as revealed by a biomedical survey; 4. Significant medical issues and biological reference values for giant pandas from the biomedical survey; 5. Life histories and behavioural traits as predictors of breeding status; 6. Nutrition and dietary husbandry; 7. Male reproductive biology in giant pandas in breeding programmes in China; 8. Endocrinology of the giant panda and application of hormone technology to species management; 9. The value and significance of vaginal cytology; 10. Parentage assessment among captive giant pandas in China; 11. The science of behavioural management: creating biologically relevant living environments in captivity; 12. Evaluating stress and well-being in the giant panda: a system for monitoring; 13. The neonatal giant panda: hand-rearing and medical management; 14. Consequences of early rearing on socialization and social competence of the giant panda; 15. Medical management of captive adult and geriatric giant pandas; 16. Diseases and pathology of giant pandas; 17. Ultrasonography to assess and enhance health and reproduction in the giant panda; 18. Gastrointestinal endoscopy in the giant panda; 19. Historical perspective of breeding giant pandas ex situ in China and high priorities for the future; 20. Role and efficiency of artificial insemination and genome resource banking; 21. Analysis of demographic and genetic trends for developing a captive breeding masterplan for the giant panda; 22. Partnerships and capacity building for securing giant pandas ex situ and in situ: how zoos are contributing to conservation.

Review of the hardback: 'Much of the information presented here is not easily available elsewhere and such this is a precious and scholarly resource for those working with these unique animals.' Biologist