Giant Panda Facts
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The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a resident of China, is arguably the most recognized bear in the world.
Their unusually large white heads, banded by black eyes, compliment their stout bodies and short legs.
Pandas live in the mountains of the temperate forests of western China. These bamboo forests supply most of the Panda's diet, which is occasionally supplemented by
They can grow about six feet long and weigh about two hundred and fifty pounds.
Estimating wild Panda populations can be an inexact science. Current estimates range between one thousand and three thousand individuals. The limited range and low population numbers make the Giant Panda the world's most endangered bear species.
A variety of captive breeding programs withing China and at zoos around the world, have been instituted to help increase population levels.
Because of low population numbers, researchers caution about the problems of interbreeding and genetic diversity as they apply to the issue of long term population survivability.
The results of initial studies indicate, "... extant populations display average to high levels of CR and microsatellite diversity compared with other bear species. Genetic differentiation among populations was significant in most cases but was markedly higher between Qinling and the other mountain ranges, suggesting, minimally, that the Qinling population should comprise a separate management unit for conservation purposes."
© 2004 Patricia A. Michaels.