Endangered Species Monday - Giant Panda

The giant panda is probably the most universally known symbol for conservation.

Once widespread through southern and eastern China, the giant pandas current range is a limited area of northwestern China. Poaching for skin and body parts, along with the loss of the giant pandas habitat (bamboo harvesting and human development) are the two main factors that are keeping the Giant Panda on the endangered species list. Despite the many efforts made by China and successful panda breeding centers like the San Diego Zoo, the future of giant pandas is uncertain. While the numbers are thought to be increasing, there is still work to be done to save these beautiful animals.

For more information about the giant pandas, what is being done to save them, and what you can do to help visit the WWF website worldwildlife.org/species/giant-panda