Giant Panda Sanctuary in China – Why Pandas Are Endangered and How to Protect Them

Why Pandas are Endangered in the World

The cuddly, charming, funny giant pandas are one of the most vulnerable animals in the world. There was a time when pandas would be spotted strolling leisurely in many parts of China. The cry for panda conservation was alarmingly loud in 1990 by WWF and is still being continued by lots of NGOs and conservations all around the world. But China started taking steps for the conservation as early as 1960 when the first base was built. According to WWF, as of today, 1600 mature pandas are alive and all of them are in China and a few in select zoos around the world. Being one of the most beloved animals in the world one would wonder why they are in such a vulnerable position.

Charming pandas in Chengdu

Well, the reasons are many. Here are some of them:

1) Increasing human population in a rapid pace is one the pressing and initial reasons for pandas endangerment. Encroachment of natural habitat areas of pandas to urbanise is a reason.

2) During the times of war and primitive times, the fur of pandas was used by a lot of native groups to keep them warm. The succeeding famine led to increase consumption of animal meat and a lot of pandas were hunted for food during that time.

3) Industrialization in the forests which is a natural habitat of pandas is one of the reasons. Forests filled with fir and bamboos are the home for pandas and a lot were cut down for human needs. Today all the pandas either live in zoos, panda bases, or artificially set up enclosures.

4) Not all the reasons are a side effect of human actions. Pandas are very choosy when it comes to mating. Females are receptive for few days and if she is not able to choose a willing mate then the opportunity to reproduce is definitely lost. Even if they successfully reproduce, the cubs weigh so less and they often don’t survive for long without extreme care.

5) Even if there are reserves maintained in a protected habitat they are fragmented with roads, villages, and railroads cutting across them.

How to Protect Giant Pandas

A host of conservation programs and joint efforts by governments and environmentalists has resulted in the steady increase of giant panda population. That does not mean we can rest, pandas still need all the help and care we give them to sustain the climate change and other environmental issues.

Bamboos are pandas' favorite food

Here are some things that we can do to protect them:

1) Creating and building new reserves and linking up the existing panda population. Rounding up the pandas that are still outside the protected areas. There are 67 reserves but still less than 1/3rd of panda population is outside the protected areas.

2) Teaching the communities surrounding the panda reserves how to protect them and at the same time creating a sustainable livelihood for the people of that community.

3) Restoring their habitat by planting more bamboos which make up 99% of their diet. Giving them adequate space and food is halfwork done. That’s how China has been successful in increasing the panda population.

4) With low birth rates and reproductive issues, breeding in captivity has played an important role over the years.
5) Donating for the cause and adopting a panda by paying for their growth is one way how people can contribute to the future well-being of giant pandas. Offer volunteer services to help the bases. Plant more bamboos in forests and sponsor panda survival.

Panda Sanctuary in China

As mentioned before China is the capital of Pandas and Chengdu especially is the kingdom of pandas. They are mainly found in Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces. Pandas can be seen in zoos and panda bases in China. These are the areas that have dense bamboo growth and wet forests which are perfect for panda habitation. Some of the most popular and best places to see pandas in China are:

Chengdu Panda Base

Chengdu Panda Base (Full name is Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding) is the most popular Panda Base in the world. In Chengdu Panda Base, you can not only see the adult pandas, but also baby pandas if you visit there in the right time. Also, there are red pandas, peacocks and some other animals. As the closest panda base to Chengdu Downtown, it is easy to access. You can either take a taxi or the subway line 3 to get to the Panda Base from Chengdu Downtown.

Chengdu Panda Base

Wolong Panda Base (Volunteering program available)

Wolong Panda Base, located in Wolong National Natural Reserve, which is north to Chengdu city. Wolong Panda Base is another panda base where you can take a panda volunteer job. And the unique experience you can get in Wolong Panda Base is that you can follow the professional panda research guide to the natural habitat of giant pandas in the wild.

Wolong Panda Base

Dujiangyan Panda Base (Volunteering program available)

Dujiangyan Panda Base (also known as Dujiangyan Panda Valley) was built in 2011as the research center to rescue and disease control of wild giant pandas. It is the closest panda base to Chengdu downtown, where you can join in a Panda Volunteer Job, or hold a panda for photos.

Dujiangyan Panda Base

Bifengxia Panda Base

Located in Ya’an city, Bifengxia Panda Base is the biggest panda base in the world. There are more than 20 laboratories and places, such as the Giant Panda Breeding Centre, Panda Nursery, Panda Hospital, Giant Panda Research Institutes, etc. Thanks for the great location, it is not only a good place to see pandas but also a nice place to avoid summer heat.

Bifengxia Panda Base

The panda volunteering programs let you feed the pandas, bake carrot cakes, clean the enclosures, take photos with them, watch panda documentaries. The program is for one whole day and the volunteers will be given a certificate at the end of the program. For a more authentic experience travellers can try panda hikes arranged by Wolong Panda Base, where you can try to spot them in their natural habitat and learn about tracking methods. Pandas can also be seen in zoos and parks like: Beijing Zoo, Hong Kong Ocean Park, and few others zoos.

The volunteer is feeding the pandas

Even though the numbers of the adorable furry giant pandas are slowly but steadily, but they need our help now more than ever. Doing a little contribution to their kind can go a long way.