top of page

Read

Conservation Victory: Giant Pandas No Longer Endangered

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Kate Byng-Hall relates the happy news that China’s national animal – the giant panda – is no longer an endangered species.

A fleet of tampons rest against a baby blue background

Photo by Ningyu he


In a landmark moment for wildlife conservation, it has been declared that giant pandas are no longer an endangered species. After exceeding a total of 1800 animals living in the wild, the bears are now instead considered by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Chinese officials to be ‘vulnerable’.

Chinese officials have credited the progression to a dedicated conservation effort to protect the country’s national animal, including extensive expansion of the bamboo forests which comprise their primary habitat. Cui Shuhong of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said that the achievement “reflects their improved living conditions and China's efforts in keeping their habitats integrated”.



A Much-Beloved Species

Alongside the red-crowned crane and the Chinese dragon, the giant panda is the national animal of China, and is considered one of the country’s most cherished symbols as well as a significant source of tourist revenue.

However, the species has been struggling for decades due to the very specific conditions they require to live and thrive, so much so that they feature in the WWF’s logo as an icon of the importance of conservatism. Currently, the species’ pickiness means there are only six mountain ranges in the whole of China where they are able to live in the wild.

Giant pandas eat almost solely bamboo, and bamboo forests have been the target of extensive deforestation in China in recent years. Pandas are sensitive to any change in habitat as different varieties of bamboo bloom at varying points in the year, so if just one variety is eliminated by deforestation, the panda population in that area may starve while waiting for the next variety to become edible.

The bears also only reproduce once a year, with just one cub typically surviving due to their tiny size at birth. Female pandas are only fertile for around six weeks of every year, meaning it’s not unusual for them to not become pregnant at all in a year if they do not find an appealing enough partner, a problem exacerbated by smaller populations. Essentially, giant pandas are especially vulnerable to changes in habitat or circumstance, meaning they require more intensive conservation attention than other species may.



Inspirational Conservatism

In order to protect this cherished animal, the Chinese government imposed strict regulations on the destruction of pandas’ habitats in a move which many argue should be emulated in the protection of other species.

Statistics tracking the giant panda population over hundreds of years suggest that the reason for their decline in recent decades is, unequivocally, human activity, a pattern which is seen repeated in many other stories of extinction or endangerment. China has been applauded for their stringent promotion of conservation efforts, first established in 1988 with the Wildlife Protection Law which introduced legal measures to protect endangered species from human disruption. One implication of this was the implementation of strict sanctions for anyone found to be hunting endangered species; since 1988, poaching of giant pandas has been eradicated.


The giant panda is so well-loved in China that the government has decided to open Giant Panda National Park – a protected area spanning multiple provinces and encompassing 67 existing panda reserves. While a gesture of this nature may not be possible in every country and for every endangered species, the sheer dedication to the conservation effort is undoubtedly inspirational.

Many argue that strict legislation, extensive breeding and reproduction schemes, habitat rejuvenation and national surveys of the animals make giant panda conservation a model campaign which the rest of the world should be following in the global effort to preserve species.


 

We are a not for profit socio-ethical impact initiative advocating for topics that matter, whilst supporting wider planetary change and acknowledgement. Support our journalism by considering becoming an advocate.

Comments


  • Twitter
  • White Facebook Icon
  • White Instagram Icon
  • White LinkedIn Icon

About

We are an innovative paper with the aim of aiding ones individual right to self-determination and choice. Through research and education, we hope to enable everyone to be informed on the topics that matter.

The causes we raise awareness for are: sustainability, climate change, environmental, nature, health, nutrition, mental health, mindfulness, sentience, science and more.

Support our mission by becoming an advocate today.

Truprint  |  2024

Stay informed with Tru.

By subscribing, you're agreeing to our privacy policy.

Tru Logo White - PNG.png
Front left.png
Preview - Test Cover.png

Our mission is to help society stay informed and much more

All proceeds generated go towards not-for-profit projects and initiatives

Our volunteers care about supporting 

people and the planet

Senior Editor | Alison Poole

Editor | Harriet Newcombe

The

Ethical 

Initiative

Name: The Truprint Group  Account: 37701460   

Sort code: 30-90-89

or PayPal

You can offer assistance in helping us achieve our goals, by becoming an advocate today.

The Truprint Group

  • Twitter
  • White Facebook Icon
  • White Instagram Icon
  • White LinkedIn Icon
info_edited.png

Powered by advocates

"In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed."

 

- Charles Darwin

Photo by Brandi Redd

bottom of page