For the past two years, researchers at China’s Wolong National Nature Reserve have been working to reintroduce giant panda Caocao and her cub Taotao to the wild.

While interacting one-on-one with the pandas, they (amazingly) wear costumes to ensure Taotao’s environment is devoid of any human influence… Dec. 3, 2010:

Feb. 20, 2011:

May 3:

A researcher approaches Taotao again. This time, the young panda and its mother are being transferred to a bigger, more complex living enclosure — the beginning of the third phase of reintroduced them to the wild.

Oct. 7: