The global captive population of giant pandas has reached a milestone of 757, announced Guan Zhi'ou, head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, at the Global Panda Partners 2024 conference in Chengdu on Tuesday.
Guan highlighted China's significant efforts in panda conservation, mentioning the establishment of 67 giant panda nature reserves and the creation of a Giant Panda National Park. These reserves collectively span an impressive 2.58 million hectares, effectively connecting the habitats of 85 percent of the country's wild panda population.
This comprehensive network of protected areas not only provides a safe haven for the pandas but also ensures genetic diversity and resilience of the species in the wild. The ongoing initiatives reflect China's commitment to preserving one of the world's most beloved and endangered species.
As conservation strategies continue to evolve, the increase in the captive panda population serves as a hopeful indicator of the species' recovery and the success of collaborative global efforts in wildlife preservation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
