Photo/Xihua Normal University

Feb.17 (NBD) -- Professor Hu Jinchu, "Father of Chinese Giant Pandas", passed away on February 16th at the age of 91.

As a biologist, he was internationally renowned for his achievements in the field of giant panda conservation.

Born in 1929 in Sichuan's Kaizhou, Hu Jinchu was a professor at the Rare Animals Research Institute of Xihua Normal University.

He was the first to conduct a giant panda survey in China and established the world's first giant panda ecological observation station.

In 1974, Hu Jinchu was appointed to lead the first field survey of giant pandas in China. During the survey, he developed the "Hu Method" for analyzing the population of giant pandas from their excrement, which is still in use today.

Based on his research, the State Council approved the expansion of the Wolong Nature Reserve from 20,000 hectares to 200,000 hectares, as well as the establishment of five other national nature reserves for the protection of endangered species such as giant pandas.

He was awarded the highest award of the World Wildlife Fund —— the Conservation Contribution Award.

Even after his "retirement" at the age of 78 in 2000, Hu Jinchu still worked in his office every day.

Hu coworkers and students in Xihua Normal University were deeply saddened by the news.