As reported earlier, the epicenter of the Sichuan earthquake was not only near the city of Wenchuan, but it was also very close to the Wolong Panda Reserve. Xinhua informed us that some pandas at other facilities were safe, but the status of the Wolong pandas was still known.

Luckily we have good news. We received this email from Karen Rose, Chairman of Pandas International:

We have a report from the Bifengxia Panda Base that they received a satellite phone call from the Wolong area.

The caller reported that the pandas at the Wolong Breeding Center are safe ( about 80 adults plus cubs) and the staff is safe. The caller reported that 20 people are dead in the Wolong area. That was before the last large aftershocks.

We also know that the chief veterinarian and assistant director for Wolong was at the Chengdu Panda Base at the time of the earthquake and he has emailed that he is safe.