Main image via VOA News + National Geographic
With all the serious news that’s been going around, we’ve got some really good news that will hopefully cheer up your day as much as ours!
China has shared that giant pandas are no longer on the endangered list!
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At a press conference on Wednesday, Cui Shuhong, director of the Department of Natural Ecological Protection of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, shared that the giant pandas will be re-classified as vulnerable after the lovable species’ population in the wild reached more than 1,800.
In an attempt to save them from extinction, China has spent 50 years attempting to boost the population of these gentle giants by creating sprawling panda reserves across several mountain ranges.
The giant pandas were first taken off the endangered list by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2016, however, Chinese officials did not initially mirror the decision.
“China has established a relatively complete nature reserves system,” the director shared when announcing the downgrade. “Large areas of natural ecosystems have been systematically and completely protected, and wildlife habitats have been effectively improved.”
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Besides the giant pandas taking an upwards turn, Cui also noted that the populations of some other rare and endangered species have been gradually recovering as well.
“The number of species such as Siberian tigers, Amur leopards, Asian elephants, and crested ibis has increased significantly,” the director said.
Some of the work involved in helping to grow the giant panda population in the wild includes expanding habitats and recreating and repopulating bamboo forests to help ensure these gentle giants have enough food to eat.
According to BBC News, an increase in numbers has also been attributed to captive breeding methods performed by zoos.
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We’re so happy to know that our favourite giant pandas have been reclassified from endangered to vulnerable!
Though they may be listed as vulnerable now, it’s incredible to know that the giant panda population in the wild is increasing!
Are you a fan of giant pandas? Are you as happy as us to hear the good news? Let us know!
Info via CNN