Giant Pandas are one of few endangered species that are legally protected.
In China, wildlife reserves have been established to ensure that the wild giant pandas have space to live, eat, and travel from area to area without humans encroaching upon them. Over 50 panda reserves have been established by the Chinese government since mid-2005; collectively, the reserves protect more than 10,400 square kilometers and over 45% of the remaining giant panda habitat. Wolong Nature Reserve is one of the most famous. Around 61%, or 980 pandas are under protection in these reserves.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been active in giant panda conservation since 1980. More recently, it has helped the Chinese government with its National Conservation Program for the giant panda and its habitat. Its efforts have been a major factor in the formation of the panda reserves.
There is still much more to learn about giant pandas, and more and more efforts are being made as researchers and panda experts work together to help to increase the number of giant pandas in the world and ensure its future population. For example, a giant panda milk formula has been created for pandas bred in zoos, and a hand-rearing technique known as "twin swapping" have helped to raise the survival rate of nursery-reared pandas up to 95%. Wolong, China is famous for its China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, has had multiyear collaborations with San Diego Zoo Conservation Research that has also helped to dramatically increase giant panda breeding rate.
You can help too! Bring awareness to the giant panda's plight, support the WWF and the Chinese government in its efforts to save the giant panda!
The giant pandas are an umbrella species, so in helping the pandas, you can help many other animals too, as well as the environment. The region that the pandas inhabit in the Yangtze Basin contains forests that are home to other endangered species like the golden monkey, takin, and crested ibis.
The giant panda also plays a crucial role in helping to maintain the bamboo forests, as they spread the seeds and facilitate the growth of the bamboo plant. In saving the giant panda, we can help to save its habitat, which is also home to millions of people. By saving its habitat, we can increase the quality of living for those people.
And finally, not only are pandas beautiful, adorable creatures that help to bring huge economic benefits through ecotourism and other such activities, they are also a very important cultural icon for the Chinese people.
