The number of giant pandas living in captivity worldwide has hit an all-time high of 757, according to Guan Zhi’ou, head of China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Speaking at the Global Panda Partners 2024 conference in Chengdu on Tuesday, Guan highlighted China’s ongoing efforts to protect these beloved animals.
China has established 67 giant panda nature reserves and launched the Giant Panda National Park, covering a massive 2.58 million hectares. This park connects the habitats of 85% of the country’s wild panda population, which currently stands at around 1,900 pandas.
Guan also emphasized international collaboration in panda conservation. China has partnered with 26 institutions across 20 countries, resulting in the birth of 71 panda cubs through these cooperative efforts.
Looking ahead, China plans to further develop the Giant Panda National Park and build a world-class research platform. “We will carry out extensive cooperation and exchanges on giant pandas,” Guan said, underscoring the importance of global teamwork in safeguarding the species.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
