giant panda
There are only 1600 panda’s left in the world, around 61% of the population, or about 980 pandas, are under protection in reserves. As China continues its rapid development, it is now more important than ever to protect this precious species before it disappears forever.
Status:
ENDANGERED
World Population:
Approx only 1600 remaining in the wild. 980 in protected reserves
Location:
Confined to forest areas high in the mountains of South-West China
Threats:
* Illegal Hunting/Poaching
* Destruction of forest habitat due to illegal mining for the charcoal trade
* Capture for the illegal pet trade
* Regional conflict/Civil unrest
The Giant Panda is a member of the bear family, this relaxed, bamboo eater is now endangered with only a staggering 1600 individual pandas remaining in the world.
Their low population levels are not helped by the Pandas fragmented habitat and infrequent breeding,
apart from being a solitary animal, the female panda remains on heat for a mere two or three days each spring, and like many large mamals, she will give birth to only 1 or 2 offspring.
They are confined to the remote mountainous parts of south-west China, but China has the largest human population of any country in the world, and the expansion of the areas used by humans can inevitably means less space available for the Pandas to exist, let alone thrive.
BORN FREE FOUNDATION
BEASTS® will donate £1 from every pair of flip flops from the Rainforest Collection to The Born Free Foundation
The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Our charity believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. We rescue vulnerable animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care. Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and much more in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. Our high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers and get results as we battle the ivory trade, stop exploitation, fight killing animals for ‘bushmeat’, oppose hunting wild animals for ‘sport’, and more.
Find out more at www.bornfree.org.uk
