The official status of the much-loved animal has been changed from "endangered" to "vulnerable" because of a population rebound in China.
The latest estimates show a population of 1,864 adults.
There are no exact figures for the numbers of cubs, but estimates bring the total number of giant pandas to 2,060.
"Evidence from a series of range-wide national surveys indicate that the previous population decline has been arrested, and the population has started to increase," said the IUCN's updated report.
Still, there could be more of them. Limiting factor is probably habitat.
The Chinese were hunting, trapping and eating the giant pandas as a source of protein. The PRC has cracked down on that.
ReplyDeleteI hear sweet and sour panda is quite tasty, as is General Tso's Panda surprise.
DeleteIt's great over either rice or noodles.
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