Why are Giant Pandas so Endangered?
The Giant Panda is the rarest bear in the world. Because of its rarity, it is considered an endangered species and humans are making their fragile populations even more threatened. The problem of diminishing population is threefold: a habitat being rapidly depleted, a limited diet that does not allow for relocation, and a poor rate of reproduction with high infant mortality even after the occasional birth. Habitat The only place that is home to the Giant Panda is the mountainous slopes of Asia, namely Western China and Eastern Tibet. China is one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world and in order to sustain that growth, the forest environment where Giant Pandas exist is being lost due to infrastructure development. Although there are protected areas set aside for the Giant Panda, poaching occurs, further threatening the mammal’s habitat. Because they are very solitary creatures, there is generally one panda found per square mile of wilderness. One thing that makes it di
