Giant Panda,the Animal Representative of China
2 min readGiant panda,or panda is a bear native to central-western and south western China.It iseasily recognized by its large,distinctive black patchesaround the eyes,over the ears,and across its roundbody.Though it belongs to the order Carnivora,thepanda’s diet is 99% bamboo.Pandas in the wild willoccasionally eat other grasses,wild tubers,or even meatin the form of birds,rodents or carrion.In captivitythey may receive honey,eggs,fish,yams,shrub leaves,oranges,or bananas along with specially prepared feed.
The giant panda lives in a few mountain ranges:central China,mainly in Sichuan Province,but also in Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces.Duefrming.deforestation and otner development,the giant panda has been driven out of thelowland areas where it once lived.
The giant panda is a conservation reliant endangered species.A 2007 report shows 239 giantpandas living in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country.Wild population estimatesvary.One estimate shows that there are about 1,590 individuals living in the wild,while a 2006 studyvia DNA analysis estimates that this figure could be as high as 2,000 to 3,000.Some reports also showthat the number of giant pandas in the wild is on the rise.However,the IUCN does not believe there isenough certainty yet to reclassify the species from Endangered to Vulnerable.
While the dragon has historically served as China’s national emblem,in recent decadesthe panda has also served as an emblem for the country.Its image appears on a large numberof modern Chinese commemorative silver,gold.and platinum coins.Though the panda is oftenassumed to be docile,it has been known to attack humans,presumably out of irritation ratherthan predation.
