Talking to pandas may be a possibility, as scientists in China have deciphered up to 13 different sounds that make up the bears’ language, according to the Daily Mail.
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Zhang Hemin, head of the centre, said in a statement that the very first recordings of pandas were made at the centre.
In that time, the researchers collected a large amount of data on pandas’ voices and activities, and analyzed the voiceprints.
“If we can understand their language, it will help us protect the animal, especially in the wild”.
The noises the animals used to communicate include roaring, barking, shout, squeaking, bleating and chirping, revealed the scientists.
Adult pandas are usually found alone therefore when they are small, they communicate through their mothers, found the researchers.
In the analysis of the panda’s language patterns, the Wolong Center was able to decipher 13 sounds, ranging from baby pandas expressing needs to their mothers to languages of love exchanged during the mating season, according to RT. “She barks loudly when a stranger comes near”, Zhang said. The female giant pandas then respond by making bird-like sounds (chirping) when they’re interested.
“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.
Based on the results of their years of research, the center is hoping to develop a “panda translator” using voice-recognition technology that will allow them to discern when a panda is hungry as opposed to horny.
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Despite a few reports stating that the number of pandas in the world has been on the rise in the past years, the species is still classified as endangered with a few 2,000 pandas living in the wild. There were 375 giant pandas in captivity at the end of 2013, about 200 of them at the CCRCGP.
