Wild Giant Pandas Making a Comeback in China

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Mother giant panda Juxiao is seen with one of her triplets at Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province
Mother giant panda Juxiao is seen with one of her triplets at Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Dec. 9, 2014.Reuters
By Daniel D'Addario

The Chinese government has some good news for panda lovers.

A new survey by China’s State Forestry Administration indicates that the wild giant panda population has grown to 1,864, representing an increase of 268 pandas since 2003. The number of giant pandas in captivity also doubled.

The census, which took some three years to complete, reflects the country’s commitment to protecting an animal with a lot of obstacles against it: Pandas are slow to reproduce and historically have been a target for poachers, and, per the census, now have 832 miles of roads running through their habitats. China’s 27 preserves for pandas account for the growth.

[NBC News]

What Life Is Like for America’s Most Famous Panda Cub

Abby Wood—Smithsonian's National Zoo
Bao Bao 8/8/2014
Abby Wood—Smithsonian's National Zoo
Abby Wood—Smithsonian's National Zoo
Abby Wood—Smithsonian's National Zoo
Abby Wood—Smithsonian's National Zoo
US-CHINA-PANDA-BAO BAO
Paul J. Richards—AFP/Getty Images
Giant Panda cub, Bao Bao - Washington, DC
Matt McClain—The Washington Post/Getty Images
US-CHINA-PANDA-BAO BAO
Paul J. Richards—AFP/Getty Images
Giant Panda cub, Bao Bao - Washington, DC
Matt McClain—The Washington Post/Getty Images
Connor Mallon—Smithsonian's National Zoo
Courtney Janney—Smithsonian's National Zoo
Abby Wood—Smithsonian's National Zoo
Abby Wood—Smithsonian's National Zoo
Abby Wood—Smithsonian's National Zoo

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