If I am asked, “What do you know about Panda?”, these are the words that will flash into my surface memory – China, Olympics, Endangered Species, Bamboo, Gentle Animal and Adorable Animal of the Wild. They are known to the world ever since 1869 as described by French Missionary Pere Armand David.
Giant Panda whose primary abode is in the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests of of Southwest of China has been populated to a number of 1600 in the wild as per 2004 census and thus been classified by IUCN in the Red Data Book as ENDANGERED with the main reasons being hunting and forest destruction. Currently, these Pandas are abode only in six mountainous regions of China.
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION:
| CLASS | Mammalia |
| ORDER | Carnivora |
| FAMILY | Ursidae |
| GENUS | Ailuropoda |
| SPECIES | melanoleuca |
Pandas of China are the most beloved and rarest species of the bears of the world ranging from miniature toys to big fluffy dolls. These Pandas are the symbol of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) ever since its inception in 1961. These Pandas are characterised and well-known for their striking contrasting colours of black and white with soft and smooth fur. The block patches on their body is well defined including the well-noted and distinguishing black patch near the eyes all well-adapted for camouflage on the tree tops and on the mountainous regions of China.
This gentle and kind mammalian inhabiting the thicker and deeps forests of western China usually live for nearly 14 to 20 years in the wild standing taller more than four feet. They give birth to 1 or 2 cubs during their breeding period. The Panda weighs around 70 to 125 kilograms.
They are excellent tree climbers and rely on bamb
oo leaves and stalks food. As these are low in nutrients and consume around 26 to 84 pounds on a daily basis which is the main task of the day next to sleeping. They also need plenty of water to drink like other bears. Some of the other food that Panda eats will include grasses, bulbs, fruits, some insects and even rodents and carrion. These Pandas stay in old, hollow logs and tee stumps with holes where they can rest in cosy comfort.
oo leaves and stalks food. As these are low in nutrients and consume around 26 to 84 pounds on a daily basis which is the main task of the day next to sleeping. They also need plenty of water to drink like other bears. Some of the other food that Panda eats will include grasses, bulbs, fruits, some insects and even rodents and carrion. These Pandas stay in old, hollow logs and tee stumps with holes where they can rest in cosy comfort. 
Pandas are not social animals and usually stay in isolation (solitary habitats) and for them two is a crowd attracting conflicts expect during mating and parenting season. If seen in crowd, Pandas are mating adults or mother Panda with her cubs. The only companion Pandas have is the “bleat” and other ways of communication are honks, huffs, barks, growls, croaks and squeals. CALL OF THE NATURE Other ways of communication by Pandas are through their distinctive scent glands located under the tail that leave a waxy and stinky mark on trees, rocks, bamboos and bushes. These scents are much useful at the time of courting and mating and for marking their territory. 
Giant Panda is a keystone species of the Chinese temperate forests as it plays a very important role in the ecological habitat of bamboo forests where it abodes. Besides they are endemic in that region. They play a vital role in dissemination of bamboo seeds and facilitates the spread of bamboo forests in the Yangtze Basin thus paving way to ecological restoration in deforested areas. This region is blessed with species whose survival are interdependent to the survival of Pandas: golden monkey, takin and crested ibis (endangered species); and dwarf blue sheep and multi-coloured pheasants. Thus this turns out to be one of the hotspots for ecotourism.
PANDA AS OLYMPIC ANIMAL: GIANT PANDA FOR EATING!
No wonder Panda became the world’s most adorable bear ever since they became official mascot of Olympic Games at Beijing in the year 2008 standing evident as the cultural icon for China and her natural resources, the wealth of any nation. A point to be brought forward to our notice at this instance that Panda was adopted as the logo of WWF.
WHAT ARE THE THREATS TO PANDA?
Loss of habitat is the major problem as a result of deforestation for timber industry and lowland habitat by farmers for agriculture and civilisation making “search of food” difficult for Panda.
Some of the ways we can help the Pandas and make them stay with us and with our children:
1. Adopt a Panda
2. Take Action – CAMPAIGN!
3. Speak Up for Wildlife
4. Stay Informed – Keep Yourself Abreast!
5. Become Defender of Wildlife
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