Save+the+Panda+Bears

The giant panda is the rarest member of the bear family and among the world’s most threatened animals. It is universally loved, and has a special significance for WWF as it has been the organization's logo since 1961, the year WWF was founded. Today, the giant panda's future remains uncertain. As China's economy continues rapidly developing, this bamboo-eating member of the bear family faces a number of threats. Its forest habitat, in the mountainous areas of southwest China, is increasingly fragmented by roads and railroads. Habitat loss continues to occur outside of protected areas, while poaching remains an ever-present threat. Giant Panda (//Ailuropoda melanoleuca//) in a tree. Wolong Panda Reserve, Sichuan Province, China. © Bernard DE WETTER / WWF-Canon Great strides have been made in recent years to conserve the giant pandas. By 2005, the Chinese government had established over 50 panda reserves, protecting more than 2.5 million acres - over 45 percent of remaining giant panda habitat – protecting more than 60 percent of the population. In 1984, the giant panda was transferred from Appendix III to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ([|CITES]). Trade in the species or its products are subject to strict regulation by the ratifying parties, and trade for primarily commercial purposes is banned.

Why is this species important?
The panda’s habitat in the Yangtze Basin ecoregion is shared by both pandas and millions of people who use the region's natural resources. This ecoregion is the geographic and economic heart of China. It is also critical for biodiversity conservation. Its diverse habitats contain many rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna, the best known being the giant panda. Economic benefits derived from the Yangtze Basin include tourism, subsistence fisheries and agriculture, transport, hydropower and water resources. The survival of the panda and the protection of its habitat will ensure that people living in the region continue to reap ecosystem benefits for many generations.

=Endangered Panda Bears= Panda bears are the natives of South Western and Central Western China, and are ambassadors of the endangered animal species. They have been declared as an endangered specie and are threatened due to rapid habitat loss. Read on to find out more about the endangered panda bears. [|Ads by Google] [|**Panda Themed Project**] Crafts, prizes, decoration and More Your Source for '11 VBS Activities! [|www.GuildcraftInc.com/Panda] [|**Cleveland Coupons**] 1 ridiculously huge coupon a day. Get 50-90% off Cleveland's best! [|www.Groupon.com/Cleveland] [|**Photos Of Panda Bears**] Find [|Photos] Of Panda Bears at Great Prices. [|www.Pronto.com] Endangered panda bears are mammals, mainly belonging to the South Western and Central regions of China. They are found in the Gansu, Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces of China and also in the Qinling mountains, along with some areas of India and Bhutan. The two most common panda bears, are the [|giant panda] and the [|red panda]. Giant pandas can be distinctively identified due to the large black patches around their eyes, legs, ears, arms and muzzle. They are an integral part of the Chinese culture, especially Chinese art, and they are fondly called the 'large black-cats'. They are good tree climbers and swimmers, and mainly feed on the bamboo plant. An interesting [|giant panda fact] is that, one giant panda can eat as much as 83 kg of bamboo everyday. Red pandas have a long structure and also feed on the bamboo plant.

Giant pandas are an [|endangered species] and in fact, are the representatives of all [|endangered animals]. There are only around 2,500 giant pandas left, worldwide. They are amongst the most threatened species of [|bears]. Their population is on a considerable decline and this calls for prompt attention and action, to save them from extinction. A giant panda is also the official symbol of the 'World Wildlife Fund' (WWF). Red pandas are classified as 'vulnerable' and could become endangered soon, if their population continues to decrease.
 * Are Panda Bears Endangered?**

There are various reasons that have lead to the panda bears being declared endangered. A few of the reasons are listed below.
 * Endangered Panda Bears - Reasons for Endangerment**

__//Habitat Loss and Fragmentation//__: The habitat of panda bears is limited to the bamboo forests, that are being increasingly depleted. Those that are remaining, have been isolated from each other, and this disables the migration of panda bears. Panda bears are also loosing their habitat due to China's increasing population that is using up their resources very rapidly. [|Deforestation] is also another reason behind the endangerment of panda bears.

__//Bamboo Die-offs//__: Panda bears are dependent on bamboo plants to fulfill their [|diet] needs. When the plant reaches a certain stage of maturity, it produces seeds [|and flowers and] then dies off. The panda bears then need to migrate to another area but are unable to do so, due to habitat loss. This leads to them to starving and ultimately dying of starvation.

__//Hunting and Poaching//__: Giant pandas and red pandas are poached for their skin, and soft and thick fur, especially by foreigners.

__//Low Reproductive Rates//__: Panda bears prefer solitude most of the times and have a very short breeding season. Only one or two cubs are born at a time and the mother looks after just one of the cubs, until they are a year or two years old. A female panda bear does not mate while caring for the cubs and the infant mortality rate is also quite high among them.

Due to the increased awareness regarding endangered panda bears, several efforts are being made to save them from [|extinction]. The Chinese authorities have declared the [|hunting] and poaching of panda bears as illegal and several wildlife reserves have been setup throughout China. These reserves ensure protection and security of the endangered panda bears. The WWF, along with the Chinese government, is making international [|wildlife conservation] efforts for the endangered panda bears, along with efforts to maintain their habitat.
 * Saving Endangered Panda Bears**

Saving endangered panda bears from extinction is essential and because humans are the cause of their endangerment, only they can save these majestic animals from it. [|Ads by Google] [|**Pictures Of Baby Bears**] Find more sources/options for Pictures Of Baby Bears [|www.webcrawler.com] [|**Coca-Cola® Ahh Giver**] Share Something Frosty & Send a Custom Polar Bear Greeting. [|Facebook.com/AhhGiver] [|**Polar Bear Watching Trips**] Expert-Guided Polar Bear Adventures & Photo Tours! Request Free Catalog [|NatHab.com/polar-bear-tours] [|**Endangered Species Photos**] See the Best of Endangered Species! Browse Our Free Photo Galleries. [|www.Away.com] [|**Free Virtual Pet Creation**] SuperPoke! Pets Online Community Care for an Adorable Virtual Pet [|www.SuperPokePets.com/Games] [|**Panda Video**] Access Millions of Videos With Bing™—Animals & More [|www.Bing.com] [|**Duncan 'Panda' Yo-Yo**] Get Low Prices & Fast Shipping On This & Every Other Model - Buy Now! [|YoyoPlay.com/Duncan_Panda_Yoyo] [|**Free Virtual Panda**] Create Your Own Virtual Panda! Feed, Play with, Share & More Free [|www.Guffins.com]
 * By [|Dhanya Joy] ||