Status
The panda is a conservation reliant, endangered species. A 2007 report showed 239 pandas living in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country. Wild population estimates vary with one estimate indicating that there are about 1,590 living in the wild, while a 2006 study via DNA analysis estimated that this figure could be as high as 2,000 to 3,000. Some reports also show that the number of pandas in the wild is on the rise. Although the species is still endangered, the conservation efforts are thought to be working. In 2006, there were 40 panda reserves in China, compared to just 13 reserves two decades ago. However, there is not enough certainty yet to reclassify the species from Endangered to Vulnerable.
Life Span
The giant panda typically lives around 20 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity. The oldest captive, a female named Ming Ming, had a recorded age of 34.
Diet
The giant panda has lived in bamboo forests for millions of years. The average giant panda eats as much as 9 to 14 kg of bamboo shoots a day. Because it consumes a diet low in nutrition, it is important for it to keep its digestive tract full. The limited energy it gains by its diet has affected the panda's behavior. The giant panda tends to limit its social interactions and avoids steeply sloping terrain to limit its energy use.
Pandas eat any of 25 bamboo species in the wild. Only a few bamboo species are widespread at the high altitudes pandas now inhabit. Bamboo leaves contain the highest protein levels; stems have less.
While primarily herbivorous, the giant panda will eat meat, fish, and eggs when available. In captivity, zoos typically maintain the giant panda's bamboo diet, though some will provide specially formulated biscuits or other dietary supplements.
Pandas eat any of 25 bamboo species in the wild. Only a few bamboo species are widespread at the high altitudes pandas now inhabit. Bamboo leaves contain the highest protein levels; stems have less.
While primarily herbivorous, the giant panda will eat meat, fish, and eggs when available. In captivity, zoos typically maintain the giant panda's bamboo diet, though some will provide specially formulated biscuits or other dietary supplements.