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.