Major Threats
There are several different major threats which are threatening the endangerment of the giant panda. Here are a few of the different threats which threaten the extinction of the panda.
Habitat Loss:
Giant pandas are found only in small areas in the mountainous regions of China. It is clear that China has the largest population in the world and it is inevitable that soon enough to do urban sprawl, pandas would lose habitat. The giant panda feeds on primarily the bamboo plant and as their habitat is being destroyed, pandas need to move from one space to another. Bamboo only grows around 550 to 3400 acres above sea level though pandas need a lot of bamboo to support themselves. A pair of breeding pandas would need approximately 7400 acres of bamboo to support themselves. Much of the areas of lower elevation where bamboo grows have been already developed but now areas that are above 1500 acres are at risk because of development. Previously, many of the panda population decreased because of timber logging but in 1998, the Chinese government banned logging in panda-inhabited areas.
Low Rates of Reproduction:
Oblivious to many, the panda's breeding season is only a few days in the entire year where the male pandas would go around seeking a female panda in which they can mate with. Adult pandas spend a large portion of the year alone except when breeding season comes around. When the female panda gives birth, it only gives birth to 1 or 2 pandas which are very small. In the wild, the mother panda would raise one panda as it's child while leave the other panda abandoned to die.
Hunting:
There are many efforts being made by the Chinese government creating sanctions to prevent the hunting of pandas. The Chinese government has created reserves to protect the population though outside the protected areas, poachers hunt pandas not to mention that they are killed by traps meant for other animals
Habitat Loss:
Giant pandas are found only in small areas in the mountainous regions of China. It is clear that China has the largest population in the world and it is inevitable that soon enough to do urban sprawl, pandas would lose habitat. The giant panda feeds on primarily the bamboo plant and as their habitat is being destroyed, pandas need to move from one space to another. Bamboo only grows around 550 to 3400 acres above sea level though pandas need a lot of bamboo to support themselves. A pair of breeding pandas would need approximately 7400 acres of bamboo to support themselves. Much of the areas of lower elevation where bamboo grows have been already developed but now areas that are above 1500 acres are at risk because of development. Previously, many of the panda population decreased because of timber logging but in 1998, the Chinese government banned logging in panda-inhabited areas.
Low Rates of Reproduction:
Oblivious to many, the panda's breeding season is only a few days in the entire year where the male pandas would go around seeking a female panda in which they can mate with. Adult pandas spend a large portion of the year alone except when breeding season comes around. When the female panda gives birth, it only gives birth to 1 or 2 pandas which are very small. In the wild, the mother panda would raise one panda as it's child while leave the other panda abandoned to die.
Hunting:
There are many efforts being made by the Chinese government creating sanctions to prevent the hunting of pandas. The Chinese government has created reserves to protect the population though outside the protected areas, poachers hunt pandas not to mention that they are killed by traps meant for other animals