Giant Panda – a Symbol of Conservation Hope

Wild pandas only live in remote bamboo forests of central China. As a member of the bear family they are excellent at climbing trees and very skilled swimmers and they eat a huge amount of food. National Geographic says “A typical animal eats half the day, 12 out of every 24 hours.

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It takes 28 pounds (12.5 kilograms) of bamboo to satisfy a giant panda's daily dietary needs.” Pandas are also known to eat rodents and birds as well. They are very solitary animals with a highly developed sense of smell. The babies are born blind and are totally reliant on their mothers for the first six months of life.

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Pandas face many threats, mainly from people, and as a result the giant panda is listed as endangered in the World Conservation Union's (IUCN's) Red List of Threatened Animals. Their forest habitats are becoming fragmented and many of the populations are being isolated from each other. Poaching and hunting is also a major problem as there is an increasing demand for the illegal trade of pandas.

 

 

The Chinese government has recognized the issue and have been working closely with NGO’s to establish panda reserves and to protect panda habitat. WWF says that “Currently, only around 61% of the population, or around 980 pandas, are under protection in reserves.” But for pandas that do not live in these reserves habitat destruction is a very real and present danger. As China continues its rapid economic growth and large-scale infrastructure developments are built, such as major roads and hydropower schemes, it is critical that panda protection is continued.

“A typical animal eats half the day, 12 out of every 24 hours. It takes 28 pounds (12.5 kilograms) of bamboo to satisfy a giant panda's daily dietary needs.”

(Source: National Geographic)

 

There is plenty we can do to help:

 

 

Support voluntary organizations who are working to increase nature reserves and reduce poaching.

Only buy products from forests that are certified as sustainably managed.

Adopt a Panda through voluntary programs.

Take an eco-tourism trip to visit a protected panda habitat; this will help support the ongoing protection work.

Increase your online support through linking your own website or blog to one of the panda protection societies.

Lesson your use of plastics and petroleum products.

Please learn more about global warming, and the decline of the forests. Teach your children and others about the importance of reducing waste, pollution and greenhouse gases.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read about Panda Bears.

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Lucy Brake: Writer & Editor

Sharon Haddox: Writer, Editor & Designer
SeaGreenNews.com
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