5 CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that pandas prefer to scent-mark ridges with animal
trails in order to maximise the probability of their information being
found by their companions. We can therefore strengthen the protection of
such habitats as a matter of policy. In addition, we can take these
habitats into account when building ecological corridors to maximise
communication between pandas. In addition, there are significant
differences in scent marking behaviour between captive and wild pandas,
so scent marking learning for captive individuals should be enhanced
during wild release, habitats with moderate bamboo density and high tree
cover should be provided within the release enclosure, and commonly used
marked tree species for giant pandas should be planted in them to
maximise the survival probability of released individuals in the wild.