A recently concluded survey, begun in 1999, indicates that the
number of giant
pandas living in the wild has increased from 1,100 in the last
survey (1985–1988) to over 1,590. The count does not include pandas
under 18 months of age.
There are also 161 giant pandas of breeding age living in
captivity, 23 of which are in countries outside China.
Zhao Xuemin, deputy administrator of State Forestry
Administration (SFA), announced the results of the survey at a
press conference sponsored by the State Council Information Office
in Beijing on Thursday.
The results of other national surveys of other wild fauna and
flora resources, as well as those specifically targeting wetland
resources, were also released. The SFA began conducting these
surveys in the mid-1990s.
Zhao ascribed the increase in wild giant pandas to the
implementation in the early 1990s of the Project for Conservation
of the Giant Panda and its Habitat in China. China currently has 40
nature reserves dedicated to the protection and conservation of
giant pandas and their habitats.
Despite the increase in numbers, the giant panda remains an
endangered species.
According to Zhuo Rongsheng, director in charge of wild fauna
and flora resources protection under the SFA, low fertility rates,
limited diet and availability of food, and susceptibility to
disease mean that the pandas are still highly vulnerable.
“Under no circumstance will we relax our protection of the
animal,” Zhuo pledged. He said the administration is working to put
some 90 percent of giant pandas’ habitats and population under the
protection of nature reserves.
Protected habitats are still far from ideal. Each of the 40
giant panda reserves is isolated from the others and there are no
exchanges of visits between them.
The administration seeks to link most of the reserves so that
the giant pandas can come and go freely between them. Freedom of
movement and greater exchanges between the animals should
strengthen the gene pool. Zhuo noted that linking the reserves is a
difficult task, but did not provide specifics as to how it is to be
accomplished.
Populations of 34 other wild animal species that receive
priority national protection have increased. However, nine other
species that have not been under priority national protection have
experienced remarkable declines, including 8 snake species. The
survey indicates that managed breeding may offset the losses in
these species.
Among the most seriously endangered are South China tigers, red
ibis, golden snub-nosed monkeys, Tibetan gazelle (goa) and Yangtze
River alligators.
Endangered flora tend to draw less public attention than
animals, but the survey indicated that as many as 104 species of
wild plants – orchid and dawn redwood in particular – are now on
the verge of extinction.
The State Forestry Administration has updated its list of wild
plants to be afforded priority protection, said Zhuo, and the state
will strictly regulate the exploitation and utilization of wild
plants and give stronger support for the cultivation of such
resources.
The first national survey of wetlands showed that there are 38.5
million hectares of wetlands across China, including 36.2 million
hectares of natural wetland (13.7 million hectares of swamp, 5.9
million of coastal wetland, 8.2 million of riparian wetlands and
8.4 million of lake wetlands). At present, about 40 percent of
natural wetlands have been integrated into 353 nature reserves, but
problems with enclosed land reclamation and pollution remain.
(China.org.cn by Chen Qiuping, June 11, 2004)
