About Giant Panda

[chengdupanda]

The panda is not special just because it is one of the most well known and charismatic animals on earth. It is also a very peculiar species, with many unique and remarkable characteristics. And they are universally recognised as being a charismatic symbol of both China and nature conservation in general.Giant pandas, China’s national animal, are a symbol of peace and friendship. They are one of favourite animals in the wolrd. So far,there are around 1864 wild pandas all over the world. Most of them inhabit in Sichuan Province, hence the name, panda country. At present, there are four natural habitats of giant pandas.

Giant panda is known and cherished around the world. The panda, one of the most rare and beloved animals in the world, is threatened with extinction - only about 1,000 pandas live in the wild. Although historically pandas were found throughout much of China and in Burma and Laos, today all of the wild pandas in the world live in six isolated forest areas in central China.

Panda History
The panda first appeared 2 to 3 million years ago. Originally, panda territory included South and East China and parts of Myanmar and Northern Vietnam. Fossil evidence shows that pandas lived almost as far north as Beijing. Today, pandas are found in six isolated forest areas in Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces in China.Pandas live in high mountainous areas, usually from 2,700 to 3,700 meters (8,500 to 11,500 feet) above sea level, that have natural forested areas with fir, spruce, and bamboo. Today, only 29 small, fragmented areas have the appropriate habitat to support the world‘s existing panda populations.

http://www.panda-volunteer.com