BEIJING (ANN/CHINA DAILY) – China’s dedicated conservation efforts have led to a remarkable recovery for the giant panda population, shifting their classification from “endangered” to “vulnerable” in 2016. The wild panda population has steadily increased from around 1,100 in the 1980s to nearly 1,900 as of last year, a testament to the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its cherished national symbol.
Despite this success, recent commentary from The New York Times raised questions about the methods China uses to survey its panda population, citing expert remarks from 2006 and 2010 that suggested the country’s survey methods were “not ideal.” Chinese experts, however, have underscored the complexity of accurately counting wild pandas, explaining that a combination of scientifically validated techniques ensures reliable results.
According to Xu Weihua, vice-president of the Institute for National Parks, determining accurate population numbers in wildlife conservation is challenging, especially for elusive, forest-dwelling animals like the giant panda. “Giant pandas are challenging to observe directly,” he noted, “so assessments rely on carefully gathering trace information.”
Over the decades, China has conducted four national panda censuses, the latest of which concluded in 2015. To monitor panda populations effectively, protected areas have been expanded significantly — from 1.39 million hectares in the 1980s to 2.58 million hectares today. In 2021, the creation of the Giant Panda National Park across Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces provided protection for approximately 70 percent of the species’ wild habitat.
Advanced survey methods
In recent panda surveys, scientists have conducted high-intensity information gathering across panda habitats. Researchers placed survey lines every two square kilometers in dense panda regions, with lines spaced six kilometers apart in less populated areas. Collecting data on panda feces and bite marks, surveyors employed advanced techniques, including the distance and bite mark differentiation methods, to estimate the panda population accurately.
The “distance differentiation” method calculates distances between traces such as feces, footprints, and fur to estimate the presence of individual pandas. Bite marks, which refer to bamboo fragments found in panda feces, offer additional insight. Because pandas are solitary animals with defined movement ranges, comparing bite marks helps researchers determine whether traces belong to the same panda.
“By examining variations in bite mark length due to individual digestive capabilities, we can estimate whether feces were left by the same panda or different individuals,” Xu explained.
Modern innovations and future technologies
While some foreign experts suggested using infrared cameras and DNA analysis, Chinese experts argue that these methods have limitations. Infrared cameras are not reliable for differentiating pandas due to their similar appearances, and DNA analysis requires fresh samples, which can be difficult to obtain on a large scale.
Xu reaffirmed that “the current methods used in China’s panda surveys are the most reliable among existing techniques.” The team is also looking toward emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and big data to improve efficiency and accuracy in future assessments.
China’s long-standing efforts and advancements in conservation continue to bolster the panda population, demonstrating a blend of tradition and innovation that places panda preservation at the forefront of global wildlife conservation.
