How many pandas are alive in the wild?
A 4-year survey was completed in 2004 and counted 1,600 pandas in the wild, 40% more than were thought to exist. The last survey of this type was done in 1985 and recorded around 1,100. Not only did the survey find a larger panda population than previously known, but the pandas were discovered living in regions not thought to have the species. In fact, 11 more counties were found with panda distribution compared to those revealed by the previous survey. This population growth, although small, was much celebrated and brought a lot of hope, proving that we are in the right track to guarantee the species survival.
