The giant panda, an adorable “ambassador of China” and beloved by people worldwide, continues to capture hearts globally. At the 2024 Global Panda Partner Conference held in late November, China’s achievements in giant panda conservation amazed the world:
- The wild panda population has increased from about 1,100 in the 1980s to around 1,900 today, leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to downgrade the panda’s status from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”
- The global captive panda population has reached 757, with a continuously improving population structure.
With their round, cuddly bodies and charming demeanor, giant pandas have countless loyal fans. Participants at the conference recognized how challenging every step of protecting this globally treasured species has been.
Improved Natural Habitat
China has established 67 giant panda nature reserves and formally created the Giant Panda National Park in 2021. This park now serves as the core of a habitat protection system, covering 2.58 million hectares. It connects habitats for 85% of the wild panda population, fostering genetic exchanges between groups.
Sichuan Province is home to the world’s largest and most intact panda habitat, with 1,387 wild pandas, an over 50% increase since the 1980s. Wild panda sightings have also become more frequent in Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, delighting panda enthusiasts worldwide.
Advances in Technology
“Artificial breeding of giant pandas was an enormous challenge in the early days,” said Li Desheng, Chief Expert at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. During the 1980s, only one panda cub survived beyond infancy. Through years of trial and error, including dozens of experiments to perfect milk formulas for young pandas, researchers have overcome major hurdles. Today, artificial breeding has achieved breakthroughs, improving mating rates, cub survival, and average lifespans. A sustainable captive population has been established.
Enhanced International Collaboration
Giant pandas increasingly venture abroad, promoting wildlife conservation research and fostering peace and friendship.
Svetlana Akulova, Director of the Moscow Zoo in Russia, shared how they have created a habitat resembling the wild for their pandas, paying close attention to diet, veterinary care, and comfort. Since the arrival of pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi, the zoo has collected behavioral data to support broader conservation studies.
Tomita Yasumasa, Deputy Director of Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, recounted the story of returning pandas Bi Li and Xian Nu to China for treatment due to hypertension. Ahead of their departure, about 2,000 fans arrived over an hour before the zoo opened to bid them farewell.
The world’s love for pandas has also fueled the success of panda-themed cultural products and related industries. Companies like “Panda Factory” and “Xiyou Panda,” specializing in realistic panda plush toys, have grown into multimillion-yuan enterprises in just a few years.
A Window to China’s Ecological Progress
The story of giant panda conservation reflects China’s broader efforts in ecological civilization. Beyond pandas, China has enhanced conservation for over 300 endangered species, including the Siberian tiger and Hainan gibbon, through habitat protection, artificial breeding, and reintroduction into the wild.
International attendees at the conference praised China’s achievements in giant panda conservation and ecological progress.
“Achieving harmony between humanity and nature is an ongoing journey requiring collaboration among individuals, communities, industries, and governments,” said Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO. She emphasized how China’s call for building a community of life for humans and nature aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Jordanian Ambassador to China, Hussam Husseini, remarked during the conference’s “Global Panda Partners Sichuan Tour”: “China showcases a model of integrating modern development with ecological protection.” He expressed hope to bring China’s practices in green economy and wildlife conservation to Jordan.
China’s giant panda conservation is not just a success story for one species but a symbol of its commitment to a sustainable future.