The giant panda is no longer considered an endangered species, the world’s threatened wildlife announced on Sunday.
WWF said in a statement they downgraded giant panda from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Vulnerable’ on the global list of species at risk of extinction.
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A 17 percent rise in the giant panda population in the decade up to 2014 has demonstrating how an integrated approach can help save our planet’s vanishing biodiversity.
“The recovery of the panda shows that when science, political will and engagement of local communities come together, we can save wildlife and also improve biodiversity, ” Marco Lambertini, WWF Director General said.
The WWF has worked for decades to save giant pandas by developing reserves and working with local communities to establish sustainable livelihoods and minimize their impact on forests, the organization said. There are now 67 panda reserves, which protect nearly two-thirds of all wild pandas.
Pandas, however, still remain under threat. “Everyone should celebrate this achievement but pandas remain scattered and vulnerable, and much of their habitat is threatened by poorly-planned infrastructure projects – and remember: there are still only 1, 864 left in the wild, ” Lo Sze Ping, CEO of WWF-China, said.
While the panda’s status has improved, other species are under increasing threat, including the Eastern gorilla that is now listed as critically endangered, just one step away from extinction, due primarily to poaching.
