Its coloration is possibly a consequence of inbreeding: as the population is closed off from genetic variation and this might have led to the preservation of the mutation responsible.

[4] On August 30, 1989, a female of this species was captured and brought to the Xi'an Qinling Wildlife Park to be mated with a regular giant panda.

[7] In order to verify their findings were accurate, scientists underwent an experiment testing mice where they utilized CRISPR-Cas9, a gene-editing tool.

[7] Additionally, researchers were able to uncover a preserved tissue sample from Dandan, where they concluded she had the same recessive trait as Qizai.

[8] Due to the Qinling subspecies being restricted in range, it has been exposed to metal intoxicates such as copper, nickel, lead, and zinc that are now present in bamboo and soil as a result of the environmental pollution that is ongoing in China.

The reliance on bamboo while having a carnivore digestive system results in energy and nutritional challenges and affects the oral health of these pandas.

[10] In a field study, pandas in the Qinling Mountains were observed demonstrating a dietary strategy to maximize protein intake and minimize fiber consumption, further mirroring the macronutrient profiles of hypercarnivores.