To whom it may concern,

I have been studying about pandas for a long, long time. But I don't know everything about them.

I know that pandas are very rare, and their favorite food is bamboo. They have sharp, strong teeth to rip open the bamboo and eat the insides. They eat the shoots and leaves of the bamboo.

Can you tell me a little more?

From,
Sydney Weiss
USA
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Dear Sydney Weiss,

Thank you for your kind letter. We are glad to know you are so interested in giant panda, a lovely creature and treasure for the whole world from Mother Nature.

As you have learned, giant pandas are one of the most endangered animals in the world. China currently has about 1,000 giant pandas in the wild, most of whom live in the mountainous areas in southwest China's Sichuan Basin.

Human activities such as habitat encroachment and destruction are the greatest threats to the existence of giant pandas. Besides, the low pregnancy rate and high infant mortality rate also attribute to the drop of their number.

Over the past decades, the Chinese government, together with people concerned all over the world, has made great efforts to save giant pandas, including establishing nature reserves to protect their habitats, promoting artificial breeding technology, and enacting relevant laws and regulations.

If you have access to the Internet, we suggest you take a look at the Giant Panda feature of China.org.cn where you may find more detailed information about giant pandas.

We appreciate your interest in giant pandas and your love of nature. Your letters are always welcomed. You may also send e-mails to ztt@china.org.cn.

Best wishes,

The Editors

(China.org.cn February 12, 2004)