Impact

BEAUTIFUL MOTHERHOOD IMPACT HAPPENING NOW

Pandas: The Journey Home VII by Museum of Science, Boston.

by Museum of Science, Boston. Pandas: The Journey Home VII.

BEAUTIFUL PANDA MOTHERHOOD

Finally, China’s captive breeding efforts for the giant panda have been hugely successful in recent years.

Pandas are one of the most endangered species in the world, with only 2500 giant pandas living in the wild. What’s worse, is that they are difficult to breed and have a high infant mortality rate.

But lately, China’s four premier panda centers have helped increase the panda population tremendously. By using artificial insemination and human carers for the panda cubs, they are procreating and surviving at a much higher rate.

Lei Shan, a conservation biologist at the Chinese Academy of Science’s Institute of Zoology, together with his team, recently conducted the most comprehensive survey of captive pandas ever attempted.

Their study, recently published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, shows that Chinese panda centers have been so successful in maintaining genetic diversity and in raising captive pandas to adulthood, that they are now ready to release many pandas back into the wild.

Shan’s study gives the world hope that panda mothers can bring new cubs to life and keep them healthy to restore the health of their species.

China even oversees the majority of captive panda work even in US institutions like the San Diego and National Zoos.

BEAUTIFUL BONGO MOTHERHOOD

A healthy Bongo baby was just born in Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia to a beautiful mother, named Djembe. This is especially exciting news for these beautiful, gentle mothers, their calves, and Mother Earth!

One of the last large mammal species to be discovered by scientists and zoologists in the mid-1800s, Eastern Bongos (Tragelaphus eurycerus) are now one of the rarest antelope species in the world, with less than 100 of them left in the wild.

Elegantly striped for camouflage, they are native to Kenya. Hunting and destruction of habitat have decimated the wild Bongo population.

“Djembe is a fantastic, protective mother and cleaned the calf as soon as it was born. The calf has already learnt to follow its mother around and was very curious and energetic when exploring its exhibit for the first time,” said Ungulate Keeper, Tracy Roberts.

Taronga Zoo also helps the Bongo population by supporting the Bongo Surveillance Project, which monitors Kenyan Bongos and fights poacher activity.

UBUNTU EDUCATION FUND

The Ubuntu Education Fund (UEF) has an incredible track record of success working on several important initiatives to improve the lives of mothers, children, and the community at large in the hugely challenged townships in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. They are one of our favorite impact organizations, because we are so impressed with the work they do. And we are longtime supporters.

Now, we are featuring their Ubuntu Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program, which aims to stop the transmission of HIV from mother to child. And their aim is true. The program has been running for 3 years, and 100% of of mothers have given birth to healthy, HIV-negative babies.

To understand more of the human side to UEF’s impact, consider what it did for Thobeka, one the brave mothers in their community:

"The heartbeat. Hearing it changed everything as love, fear, and the realization that she was giving life to another human being washed over her. More than anything else, this mother-to-be was determined to save her child from the virus that had overshadowed her life: HIV.

Thobeka followed every piece of advice, however small, that Ubuntu's doctor prescribed, attending medical appointments, ultrasounds, nutritional consultations, counseling sessions, and support group meetings. Nine months later, her baby was born HIV-negative, an accomplishment that Thobeka will be proud of for the rest of her life."

UAE’s upcoming Galas, with the theme "1 Million to One: Changing the Odds," will be held in London on June 4th, featuring musical guest Brassroots with a special surprise performance. For more info on the London UAE Gala check here.

The UAE New York Gala will be held in NYC, June 11th, featuring musical guest Trombone Shorty. For more info on the New York UAE Gala check here.

Find out more about the Ubuntu Education Fund here, including how you can support their beautiful work for mothers, children, and ultimately the world.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Museum of Science, Boston. Pandas: The Journey Home VII. Panda mother & cub.
Image: by Jessie Cohen for Smithsonian's National Zoo. A Whole New World. Panda mother & cub.
Image: by Amy Huang. Panda mother & cub.
Image: by Jessie Cohen for Smithsonian's National Zoo. Mei Xiang and Tai Shan. Panda mother & cub.
Image: by jerry dohnal. Djembe. Bongo mother and calf.
Image: by Rain. Bongo. Bongo mother and calf.
Image: by jerry dohnal. Djembe and Kiazi (Sweet Potato). Bongo mother and calf.
Image: by Tim Hans. Courtesy of Ubuntu Education Fund.
Image: Courtesy of Ubuntu Education Fund.
Image: by Tim Hans. Courtesy of Ubuntu Education Fund.
Image: by Tim Hans. Courtesy of Ubuntu Education Fund.
Image: by Matthew Field. Bai Yun, Female Giant Panda at San Diego Zoo, California.
Image: by Tim Hans. Courtesy of Ubuntu Education Fund.
Image: Courtesy of WeaselCandy. Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus eurycerus)