Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Fact Sheet: Population & Conservation Status

Population estimates

• Wild populations
  • Approximately 1,040 adults (Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016; Swaisgood et al. 2018)
    • Approximately 1,800 to 2,060 individuals, total (Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016)
      • Includes cubs, juveniles, and subadults
  • Largest populations in Minshan, Qinling, and Qionglai mountain ranges (State Forestry Administration 2015)
  • Estimates from range-wide census surveys by the Chinese government (Sichuan Forestry Department 2015; Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016)
    • Conducted since the mid-1970s, with about 10 years between censuses (State Forestry Administration 2015; Huang et al. 2020)
• Overall population trends
  • Wild populations gradually increasing but still vulnerable to extinction (Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016; Swaisgood et al. 2018)
    • See Threats to Survival
  • Some subpopulations decreasing, especially those that are small, that live in degraded habitats, and with low habitat connectivity (Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016)

Population structure

• Populations small and isolated (Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016; Kong et al. 2021)
  • Perhaps as many as 33 subpopulations of giant panda, with 18 subpopulations of fewer than 10 individuals (State Forestry Administration 2015; Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016)
  • Some subpopulations at high risk of local extinction (too small to be self-sustaining) (eg, Kong et al. 2021; Y. Wang, Wei, et al. 2023)
• Overall, moderate-to-high levels of genetic diversity still present in wild populations (B. Zhang et al. 2007; Hu et al. 2010; Li et al. 2010; Wei et al. 2012; Zhao et al. 2013; F. Wei, Hu, et al. 2015; Sheng et al. 2018; Dai et al. 2020; Swaisgood et al. 2020; Li et al. 2023)
  • However, isolation of small populations still a threat to genetic diversity (eg, Zhu et al. 2010; Lifeng Zhu et al. 2013)
• Several evolutionarily distinct population clusters (Lan et al. 2024)

IUCN

• Vulnerable (2016 assessment) (Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016)
  • Improvement from Endangered to Vulnerable conservation status after 2016 IUCN assessment (Swaisgood et al. 2018)
  • Pandas require continued conservation management to address continued and emerging threats (see Swaisgood et al. 2018, Han et al. 2022)

CITES

• Appendix I (UNEP 2018)

Government laws and regulations

• Vulnerable status under China’s Biodiversity Red List (Zhigang et al. 2016; Swaisgood et al. 2023)

Habitat loss and degradation

• Primary threat to giant pandas (Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016; W. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2018)
• Human disturbances include livestock rearing, farming, and infrastructure projects (eg, Qiu et al. 2019)
• Livestock grazing (horses, cattle, sheep, yaks)
• Recently replaced logging (deforestation) as a significant threat to pandas (Hull, Zhang, et al. 2014; B.V. Li et al. 2017; Swaisgood et al. 2018; Li et al. 2019; Pu et al. 2024)
• Government policies have promoted livestock rearing as an alternative livelihood to logging (B.V. Li et al. 2017; Li et al. 2021)
• Recently, government began stricter livestock grazing control in Minshan and Liangshan Mountains (Fang Wang, personal communication, 2024)
• Livestock compete with giant pandas for space, food (bamboo and possibly access to drinking water), and degrade panda habitat with their feces and by trampling vegetation (Hull, Zhang, et al. 2014; B.V. Li et al. 2017; W. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2018; Kang, Zhao, Chen, Wang, et al. 2020; Fan et al. 2023)
• Likely displace giant pandas from preferred habitat areas, such as valleys and ridges (eg, Wang et al. 2015; B.V. Li et al. 2017; Zhang, Hull, Ouyang, Li, et al. 2017; W. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2018)
• Bamboo understory may be slow to regenerate after livestock grazing (Hull, Zhang, et al. 2014; B.V. Li et al. 2017; Fan et al. 2023)
• Habitat fragmentation
• Remains a primary threat, though overall habitat quality has improved since 2000 (Kang and Li 2016a; Yang et al. 2017; Kang 2022)
• Fragmentation caused by human settlements and urbanization, ranching, agriculture, mining, roads, railways, dams, other infrastructure, and past deforestation (Loucks et al. 2001; Qi et al. 2012; Pan et al. 2014; Kang and Li 2016a; Swaisgood et al. 2016; Xu et al. 2017; B. Ma et al. 2018; Wanghe et al. 2020; Ruan et al. 2021)
• Panda distribution historically connected by valley habitat (Schaller et al. 1985; Zhu et al. 2010; Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016; W. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2018; Kerley et al. 2020; Ruan et al. 2021)
• Human settlements and activities prevent pandas from living at lower elevations and using historic movement corridors
• Also see Historic distribution
• Increased risks to small populations from harms of disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and loss of genetic diversity (Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016) (Zhu, Zhang, et al. 2011; Kong et al. 2021)
• Logging
• Some forests outside protected areas may be sold to timber companies (eg, Yang et al. 2015; Kang 2021) or converted for agriculture (eg, Bu et al. 2021)
• Roads
• Damage panda habitat and impede panda movements (Gong et al. 2015; Liu et al. 2021)
• Passageways or tunnels may improve pandas’ ability to cross roadways (Zhang et al. 2024)
• Reduce bamboo growth and forest cover near roadways (eg, He, Dai, Gu, et al. 2019; Kang, Zhao, Chen, Lin, et al. 2020)
• Cause pollution (Zheng et al. 2016; Zhao et al. 2019; Kang 2021)
• Traffic noise may be an indirect threat (eg, Fan et al. 2011)
• Pollutants
• Includes heavy metals (from human activities) (Zheng et al. 2016; Zhao et al. 2019)
• Intensive collection of bamboo shoots (Li et al. 2019; Pu et al. 2024)
• May reduce food available to giant pandas
• Nutrition from bamboo shoots particularly important after winter and when females are rearing cubs (Nie, Zhang, et al. 2015; J. Zhang et al. 2015)
• Introduces substantial human disturbance (eg, Kang et al. 2021; Pu et al. 2024)
• Feral domestic dogs (where present)
• Thought to impact habitat use (pandas avoid dogs) (eg, Callan et al. 2020; Weng et al. 2021)
• Pandas may also be at risk of dog-associated diseases (eg, canine distemper) (eg, Feng et al. 2016; Zhao et al. 2017)

Climate change

• Impacts on giant pandas still being investigated (eg, Zhang et al. 2018; Wang et al. 2018; Swaisgood et al. 2023)
• Global warming expected to cause a reduction of panda habitat, shifts in bamboo distribution, and/or further habitat fragmentation (eg, Tuanmu et al. 2013; Fan et al. 2014; R. Li, Xu, Wong, Qiu, Sheng, et al. 2015; Shen et al. 2015; Liu et al. 2016; Gong et al. 2017; Songer et al. 2020; Zang et al. 2020)
• Global warming may affect panda distribution but not necessarily panda population sizes, if bamboo forests endure and China’s government continues to protect forests (F. Wang et al. 2018; Huang, Audrey Lothspeich, et al. 2020; Li et al. 2020; Tang et al. 2020; Y. Wang et al. 2022)
• But climate is a strong influence on panda distribution, affecting availability of food and water, and exposure to heat stress (Tuanmu et al. 2013; R. Li, Xu, Wong, Qiu, Sheng, et al. 2015; Zang et al. 2017; F. Wang et al. 2018; Zhang et al. 2018; Tang et al. 2020; Y. Wang et al. 2022)
• Pandas may tolerate some climate impacts, especially within protected areas (eg, Tang et al. 2023)

Ecotourism

• Tourism encouraged in several protected areas (Ma et al. 2019)
• Can help to reduce local poverty and strengthen wildlife conservation attitudes (Ma et al. 2019; Ma and Wen 2019)
• Also increases infrastructure construction (Ma et al. 2019)
• In one study, ecotourism shown to improve livelihoods for communities at high elevations—but panda habitat harmed by increased removal of timber and wild plants, as well as livestock grazing (Ma et al. 2019)
• Horses kept as livestock for tourism (Li et al. 2021)
• See Loss of habitat and food, above

Unintentional hunting (rare)

• A few individuals accidentally caught in snare traps set for other targeted animals, such as forest musk deer and black bears (Schaller 1994; Garshelis 2009b; Swaisgood et al. 2016; Fang Wang, personal communication, 2024)

• Some cases reported, but very rare due to the giant panda’s low population density and low activity levels (Fang Wang, personal communication, 2024)

• Intentional poaching largely prevented by severe penalties imposed by China’s government (Li et al. 2000; "Highlights in the history..." 2010), supplemented by international regulations and other protective measures (Swaisgood et al. 2016; Swaisgood et al. 2018)
• China's Wildlife Protection Law of 1988 (implemented 1989) made panda poaching a capital offense (F. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2015; Swaisgood et al. 2016)

• 1950
• Measure on Rare Wild Life Protection ("Highlights in the history..." 2010)
• Hunting of rare animals, such as giant pandas, strictly prohibited (Dolan 1987; Fang Wang, personal communication, 2024)
• 1957
• First efforts by Chinese government to protect panda habitat (Lü and Kemf 2001)
• 1962 to 1963
• Chinese government establishes first reserves to protect giant pandas (Schaller et al. 1985; Lü et al. 2008; "Highlights in the history..." 2010; Swaisgood et al. 2011)
• First panda born via artificial insemination (Beijing Zoo) (Lumpkin and Seidensticker 2002)
• 1974 to 1977
• First national census survey of giant pandas (eg, "Highlights in the history..." 2010; State Forestry Administration 2015)
  • Estimate of 2,400 individuals
• First giant panda field research station established in Wolong Nature Reserve

• 1981
• U.S. scientist George B. Schaller and Chinese scientists Hu Jinchu, Pan Wenshi, and Zhu Jing begin collaborating on in-depth studies of pandas at Wolong Nature Reserve (Dolan 1987; Lü and Kemf 2001)
• Produces seminal research on panda diet, ecology, behavior, and reproduction (Schaller et al. 1985; Schaller 1994; Lü and Kemf 2001)
• China joins CITES, making international trade of panda body parts illegal (Swaisgood et al. 2016)
• 1984
• China’s government makes first loans of pandas to zoos in other countries (Lü and Kemf 2001)
• Giant panda protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (Lumpkin and Seidensticker 2002)
• 1987
• Giant Panda Task Force established by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA, formerly American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums) (Hoessle et al. 1988)
• Established zoo-based research and breeding programs, in collaboration with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens and Chinese Forest Ministry (Hoessle et al. 1988)
• 1989
• Chinese government implements the Wildlife Protection Law (1988), banning panda poaching and giving pandas the highest level of legal protection (MacKinnon et al. 1989; Swaisgood, Wang, et al. 2016)
• 1992
• Giant Panda Conservation Program (called the National Conservation Program for the Giant Panda and its Habitat) adopted by China’s government (Lü and Kemf 2001; Lü et al. 2008; Garshelis 2009b; "Highlights in the history..." 2010)
• Focused on reducing human impacts, managing bamboo habitat, expanding panda reserves, establishing movement corridors, reintroductions, and caring for pandas in managed care
• Drafted by the Chinese Ministry of Forestry and WWF, beginning in 1989
• 1990
• 13 panda conservation reserves (in 6 remaining forest fragments) (Lü et al. 2008)
• 1998
• Massive flooding and soil erosion along the Yangtze River prompt China’s government to ban logging in natural forests and offer farmers incentives (cash and grain subsidies) to replant forests (eg, P. Zhang et al. 2000; Loucks et al. 2001; Lü et al. 2008; Ren et al. 2015; F. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2015; Bryan et al. 2018)
  • Known as “Grain-to-Green Project”

• 2000 to 2001
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance hosts “Panda 2000: Conservation Priorities for the New Millennium,” an international conference to identify key areas of research, management, and policymaking needed to prevent the giant panda’s extinction (Swaisgood et al. 2010)
• 1,500 to 1,600 pandas remain in China’s forests
• 34 nature reserves for panda conservation in China (Lü and Kemf 2001)
• 2008
• First time artificially bred giant pandas released into natural habitat (Fang Wang, personal communication, 2024)
• 2010
• Approximately 1,000 to 2,000 pandas remain (Lü et al. 2008)
• About 60 panda reserves in China (Lü et al. 2008)
• 2011
• Fourth national census survey of giant pandas (eg, "Highlights in the history..." 2010; State Forestry Administration 2015)
  • Estimate of 1,864 individuals

• 2021
• China unites its panda reserves into Giant Panda National Park (Huang, Fei, et al. 2020)

• See IUCN Red List assessment for detailed discussion
• Ongoing efforts to balance the needs of pandas and human communities that depend on bamboo forest resources (Bryan et al. 2018; Yan et al. 2018; Shen et al. 2021; Swaisgood et al. 2023)
  • Conservation scientists and policymakers working to improve local livelihoods and engage people living in/around China’s protected areas in collaborative conservation efforts (Shen et al. 2021; Swaisgood et al. 2023)
  • Ongoing exploration of alternative livelihoods, such as beekeeping and ecotourism, that reduce impacts on natural resources (eg, Li et al. 2021)
• Livestock impacts
  • Policies on grazing issues urgently needed (Li et al. 2019; Swaisgood et al. 2023; Pu et al. 2024)
• Habitat protection
  • Cohesive management of panda reserves across mountain ranges in its distribution (Garshelis 2009b; Swaisgood et al. 2016; Huang, Fei, et al. 2020; Wei et al. 2020)
    • Giant Panda National Park protects about 88% of known wild pandas and about 70% of current giant panda habitat (State Forestry Administration 2015; Huang, Fei, et al. 2020; Swaisgood et al. 2023)
      • 3 times as large as Yellowstone National Park (Huang, Fei, et al. 2020)
    • A new national park, Qinling National Park, is under construction (in 2024) to protect giant pandas in the Qinling Mountains (Fang Wang, personal communication, 2024)
    • Need for panda protections on communally held property inside protected areas (Yang et al. 2013; F. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2015; Yang et al. 2015)
      • About 20% of panda habitat lies within forest areas owned by local communities (Yang et al. 2015)
  • Panda populations outside of protected areas need protection (Kang and Li 2016b; Kong et al. 2021)
  • Habitat restoration to reverse habitat fragmentation and increase habitat connectivity (Qi et al. 2012; Wang et al. 2014; Swaisgood, et al. 2015; Swaisgood et al. 2016; Kang and Li 2018; Yang et al. 2020; Liu et al. 2021; Kang 2022; Xu et al. 2022; Kang and Li 2024; Wang et al. 2024)
  • Protection of bamboo food resources and maternal den sites (Wei et al. 2019; Swaisgood et al. 2020)
    • Possible limits on bamboo shoot collecting where pandas live (Li et al. 2019; Pu et al. 2024)
    • Large, old trees with tree hollows particularly important for mother pandas caring for dependent cubs (Wei et al. 2019; Xu et al. 2022)
• Protection of China’s forests
  • Logging banned through much of China (F. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2015; Swaisgood et al. 2016; Swaisgood et al. 2023)
    • However, policy reforms (eg, that allow logging, industrial development, unregulated ecotourism) may undo some conservation gains (see Yang et al. 2015; Swaisgood et al. 2023)
      • Eco-compensation payment programs are one proposed solution for long-term forest preservation (Yang et al. 2013)
• Population health
  • Reintroduction of pandas born in panda centers and sanctuaries, and translocation of individuals among small, isolated populations (to increase genetic diversity) (Mainka et al. 2004; R. Li, Xu, Wong, Qiu, Li, et al. 2015; F. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2015; Yang et al. 2018; He, Dai, Foss-Grant, et al. 2019; Hong et al. 2019; Y. Wang, Wei, et al. 2023)
  • Restore habitat to allow gene flow among populations in wild populations (eg, Li et al. 2023)
  • Genetic stewardship of populations in managed care (Fang et al. 2002; Shan et al. 2014; Dai et al. 2020)
• Continued scientific monitoring and community engagement
  • Strong focus on panda conservation science by China's government, and international partner NGOs and zoos (Swaisgood et al. 2016)
    • Aims for long-term monitoring studies of populations and habitat, food abundance, and genetic diversity (F. Wei, Swaisgood, et al. 2015; Swaisgood et al. 2016; Han et al. 2022)
  • Giant panda promoted as a flagship wildlife conservation species (Wallace 2021; Swaisgood et al. 2023; Yue, Wang, et al. 2024)
  • Wide public support for giant panda reintroduction efforts (eg, Ma et al. 2016)
  • Panda reserves also help to safeguard mountain ecosystems with high biodiversity (Li and Pimm 2016; Swaisgood et al. 2016)
    • Panda protections offer protection to many species that use the same forest habitats (“umbrella species”) (Wang et al. 2015; Wang et al. 2021, but see Yue et al. 2024)
      • Endemic species that live nowhere else in the world (Li and Pimm 2016)
      • Endangered animals, such as takin and snub-nosed monkeys (Ma et al. 2016; but see Yue, Yang, et al. 2024)

SDZWA and our partners in China are honored to collaborate on conservation projects to advance the thriving of giant pandas, worldwide.

SDZWA marked the 30th anniversary of the conservation partnership between San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and China Wildlife Conservation Association in 2024.

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