China has removed the giant panda from its list of endangered species. The number of iconic mammal individuals has reached 1,800 living in the wild.
Endangered Species to Vulnerable
Classification as an endangered species determines the critical number of individuals of a particular species. China has just removed the iconic bear from its list of endangered species, but the giant panda remains classified as vulnerable.
In the 1970s, there were around 1000 individuals in wild nature. According to estimates, more than 1,500 panda bears lived in the wild from 2005 to 2015.
The International Union for Conservation of Wild Pandas ceased to classify the giant panda as an endangered species as early as 2016 when Chinese authorities challenged the decision and said it could mislead society that they could slow down in their efforts to protect pandas – warns Peking.
Natural Environment Maintaining
Zhuej Shu-Chung of the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and the Environment claims that the removal of the animal from the register of endangered species reflects improved living conditions and China’s efforts to preserve their natural environment.
According to Chinese experts, the rescue of a recently endangered species is the result of China’s long-term conservation efforts, which include expanding its natural environment, especially the bamboo forests that make up 99 percent of a panda’s diet.
The giant panda is considered China’s national animal. Outside the country, it can only be seen in zoos, currently in 23 zoos in 19 world countries.
source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57773472, featured picture by qgadrian from Pixabay
