Population Statistics
In the 1970s the giant panda population was recorded to be around 2500 living in the wild. though this is low less than 10 years later it was recorded again and had drastically decreased to 1114. These numbers stayed very scarce into the early 2000s only reaching about 1596. From that point on giant panda numbers have been on the rise due to WWF and conservationist efforts. Today there are about 1864 and rising living in the wild which is about a 17% increase since the late 1970s. A recent study in the Shaanxi region showed that in population of 80 there were 11 births and 4 deaths which is great news for a panda population on the rise.
WHAT CAUSED THE DECREASE |
They are unable mate
The inability increased difficulty to mate is one of the main factors that has brought down panda populations. Pandas reach sexual maturity at about 5.5-6 years and from this point they give birth to one cub about every 2 years. So unlike other animals it takes them longer to reproduce. This means that making it harder to get to a mate can really take a toll on birth rates and create a drastic decline in population. This also makes it harder to declined populations to recover. In the region where giant pandas are primarily located there is an ongoing and exponential development of roads and railroads that cut directly through giant panda habitats. These new roads break up the forest which isolates panda populations and breaks them up. This prevents mating and decreases the birth rate. |
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/3/0/113044795/bam.jpg?250)
Lack of food
A Giant Pandas are mainly located up in the mountains near bamboo forests. In order to survive they must eat 26-84 pounds of bamboo a day. That is per panda, so when it all adds up that is a lot of bamboo that is needed in order to sustain the giant panda population. Because of rapid deforestation many bamboo forest that are crucial to panda survival are being cut down and cleared for timber, fuel wood and cleared for agriculture and infrastructure needs. This eliminates the pandas core food source which caused and causes many of them to die from starvation
A Giant Pandas are mainly located up in the mountains near bamboo forests. In order to survive they must eat 26-84 pounds of bamboo a day. That is per panda, so when it all adds up that is a lot of bamboo that is needed in order to sustain the giant panda population. Because of rapid deforestation many bamboo forest that are crucial to panda survival are being cut down and cleared for timber, fuel wood and cleared for agriculture and infrastructure needs. This eliminates the pandas core food source which caused and causes many of them to die from starvation
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/3/0/113044795/panda-pelt_orig.jpg)
Poaching and Hunting
One of the less known causes of panda population decrease is poaching. Giant pandas are occasionally hunted for people seeking their fur. Though this is one of the less likely reasons they are killed from poaching and hunting. In the year of 1988 146 panda pelts were recovered and these were just the ones that were found. Giant pandas are commonly caught by accident and killed in traps set to catch other animals or shot on accident. The hunting of giant panda is highly illegal and many people are prosecuted annually for the hunting, killing and sale of the meat.
One of the less known causes of panda population decrease is poaching. Giant pandas are occasionally hunted for people seeking their fur. Though this is one of the less likely reasons they are killed from poaching and hunting. In the year of 1988 146 panda pelts were recovered and these were just the ones that were found. Giant pandas are commonly caught by accident and killed in traps set to catch other animals or shot on accident. The hunting of giant panda is highly illegal and many people are prosecuted annually for the hunting, killing and sale of the meat.
what is causing the rise?
In 2003 there were 40 nature reserves that giant pandas lived in since then there have been an addition of 27 since then. These reserves are home to 66.8% of giant panda populations and make up 53.7% percent of their habitat. This ensures safe and healthy places for Giant pandas to eat and reproduce which helps not only keep them alive but create more from reproduction boosting the population. There have also been green trails made by conservationalist in order to create a safe passageway to for them to find mates.
In 2003 there were 40 nature reserves that giant pandas lived in since then there have been an addition of 27 since then. These reserves are home to 66.8% of giant panda populations and make up 53.7% percent of their habitat. This ensures safe and healthy places for Giant pandas to eat and reproduce which helps not only keep them alive but create more from reproduction boosting the population. There have also been green trails made by conservationalist in order to create a safe passageway to for them to find mates.
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giant_panda_case_study.docx |