By 2001, there were 182 individuals in North American zoos alone.

In October, a new group of 11 is to arrive here from American zoos.

Samples from animals in several American zoos are also to be being analyzed in the study.

American zoos generally pay the Chinese government $1 million a year in fees, as part of a typical ten-year contract.

In 1998, there were 134 million visits to North American zoos and aquariums.

American zoos have acquired pandas for varying, but compelling reasons.

There are no cuddly pandas either, despite other American zoos getting pairs in recent years.

A number of American zoos have already built large, naturalistic enclosures that provide stimulation for the animals, he said.

She said that half of the 45 elephants that have died since 2000 in the 210 accredited American zoos did not live to reach 40.

Many South American zoos hold tinamous, as do some private estates.