Giant Panda

The worldwide population of wild giant pandas has increased by 268 over the last decade, according to a new survey conducted by the government of China. The increase in population brings the total number of wild giant pandas to 1864. The population increase represents a 16.8% rise compared to the last panda survey in 2003. Wild giant pandas, a global symbol of wildlife conservation, are found only in China's Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu provinces. According to the report, formally known as the Fourth National Giant Panda Survey, the geographic range of pandas throughout China also increased. The total area inhabited by wild giant pandas in China now equals 2,577,000 hectares, an expansion of 11.8% since 2003. "These results are a testament to the conservation achievements of the Chinese government," said Xiaohai Liu, executive director of programmes, WWF- China. "A lot of good work is being done around wild giant panda conservation, and the government has done well to integrate these efforts and partner with conversation organisations including WWF.