Numbers of wild Pandas are increasing

The good news is that a new survey estimates 1,864 pandas live in the wild. That’s a 16.8% increase since the last survey released in 2003.

The first survey (1974-77) estimated there were 2,459 giant pandas in the wild. The second (1985-88) estimated 1,114. The third survey, published in 2004, estimated there were 1,596.

The latest rise in the estimate is particularly encouraging, as the 2004 increase was in large partly down to researchers using better techniques and surveying a wider area. The new figures show that the hard work of the Chinese government, local communities, nature reserve staff and WWF is paying off.