The panda has been endangered since 1984. Pandas are native to China and are a big symbol of peace and friendship.
The reason for the pandas being listed as an endangered species was habitat loss and poaching. Pandas eat, on average, 24 to 84 pounds of bamboo a day. With their habitat being reduced, bamboo was more scarce and didn’t allow them to eat the amount they needed. Pandas are very picky eaters and don’t eat anything else other than bamboo.
Pandas have poached a long time ago. However, now they are doing everything they can to help the panda. In China, pandas are looked at as “national treasure.” There are 13 panda nature reserve areas in the country to help pandas and protect them. Not only does this help pandas, but it also helps protect thousands of other species.
Many farming areas have been left to grow back into a forest. This allows for the habitat to grow and more bamboo to grow. Many people volunteer and work to help keep pandas safe.
With all this help, pandas are no longer on the endangered list.
The number of pandas has doubled since the 1980s. They have officially been taken off the list. However, the threat of them going back on the list still exists. The rate of reproduction for pandas is slow. This is one of the factors as to why they were endangered, to begin with. Pandas in captivity have a higher chance of having twins by being artificially inseminated.
Many people have been trying to enforce laws and restrictions to help protect wildlife. Many have been successful and have helped save many animals. Ms. Ramos, a science teacher at Santaluces stated, “Pandas are proof that we can do what is right for nature to recover. They are a symbol of hope.”
With the help of people, many more animals can be saved.
