Steady Rise in Giant Panda Population

The fourth national giant panda survey by the State Forestry Administration concludes that remarkable achievements have been made in the preservation of this adorable, endangered animal. At the end of 2013, the wild giant panda population stood at 1,864, 16.8 percent more than the findings of the third survey, and 375 were living in captivity. Their natural habitats also expanded 11.8 percent to 2.58 million hectares. China conducted three national giant panda surveys in the 1970s, 1980s, and at the beginning of this century. The latest commenced in 2011 and concluded at the end of 2014. It covered 62 counties (cities and districts at the same administrative level) in three provinces — Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu.