China is currently the only country in the world that has wild giant pandas. Paleontologists have discovered through fossils that, aside from China, giant pandas once existed in Europe, but they later became extinct. Why did giant pandas in China manage to survive while their European counterparts did not? Scientists believe this is mainly related to natural environmental factors and human influences.
Natural Environmental Factors
After the end of the Quaternary glacial period, during the interglacial period, China’s complex and diverse geographical environment effectively blocked the expansion of glaciers. Localized microclimates provided ideal shelters for giant pandas. However, their European counterparts were not so fortunate; they became extinct due to glacier expansion.
Human Influences
Giant pandas are known as “national treasures” in China. Since 1957, China has gifted giant pandas as national gifts to countries that maintain good diplomatic relations with China and to those with which China hopes to establish diplomatic ties. This practice continued until 1982. After 1982, the population of wild giant pandas began to decline. In response to the global call for the protection of endangered animals, China, in addition to in-situ conservation, established dedicated institutions for the research and conservation of giant pandas. Researchers continuously improved artificial breeding techniques, which helped stabilize and increase the panda population. Meanwhile, China ceased to gift giant pandas and now only conducts international cooperative breeding research. Any giant pandas born abroad must be returned to China once they are able to live independently.
The habitat of wild giant pandas is in China, and the ownership of captive pandas also belongs to China. In this regard, giant pandas are unique to China, and almost all giant pandas are considered Chinese.
Are There Any Captive Giant Pandas Outside of China Today?
The two female giant pandas, “Shuang Shuang” and “Xin Xin,” living in Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City, are the offspring of the giant pandas “Ying Ying” and “Pei Pei,” which China gifted to Mexico in 1975. According to the regulations at that time, the gifted pandas and their descendants did not need to be returned to China. Since other gifted pandas and their descendants have all passed away, “Shuang Shuang” and “Xin Xin” have become the only remaining giant pandas that do not belong to China.
Do Other Animals Play a Role in International Friendly Relations?
Yes! Countries such as India, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka have gifted Asian elephants to China. New Zealand has sent kiwi birds to the Hangzhou Zoo in Zhejiang, China. In 2006, Australia gifted six koalas to China. In 2014, Mongolia gifted two Mongolian horses to China. That same year, Zimbabwe also gifted two African lion cubs to China.
In 1961, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gifted a dog named “Verny” to U.S. President John F. Kennedy.