Scientists decode giant panda language in China

November 04, 2015 20:54

Chinese researchers have decoded 13 different kinds of giant panda vocalisations, a surprising new insight in the private lives of the reclusive creatures.

The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in southwest China's Sichuan Province has been working on a panda linguistics project since 2010.

They first made recordings of pandas at the breeding centre, cubs and adults, in various situations: when they were eating, mating, nursing, fighting and so on, said Zhang Hemin, head of the CCRCGP.

They also collected a large amount of data on pandas' voices and activities, and analysed the voiceprints, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

"We managed to decode some panda language and the results are quite interesting," said Zhang. Panda cubs can barely speak at all except to say things like "Gee-Gee" (I'm hungry), "Wow-Wow" (Not happy!) or "Coo-Coo" (Nice!).

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