

Sighting of a panda cub in Dafengding Nature Reserve located in Meigu County, southwest China's Sichuan Province has raised hopes for the species revival in the wild.
At present only 1,864 pandas exist in the wild in China.

Two rangers during a regular patrol found the wild panda cub sleeping under a tree. "While walking half-way up the hill we spotted a sleeping panda cub," said Shamar Nyipu, a ranger at the Dafengding Nature Reserve.

According to authorities, a wild panda cub has been sighted first time in 40 years since the establishment of the Reserve. Rangers estimate that the spotted panda cub is around two-month-old and reportedly resides in a small cave.
At present, wildlife authorities claimed, around 22 wild pandas live in Dafengding Nature Reserve.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List after a census in 2016 changed the status of wild pandas from endangered to vulnerable. The change in status means the number of pandas is slowly increasing.
The decision was taken after conservation efforts raised the number of giant pandas by nearly 17 percent.

In late 1970s wild panda's number dwindled to 1,000 forcing governments and wildlife groups to launch conservation efforts to save the species from getting extinct.
Some of the significant decisions taken to boost their population include restoration of natural habitat, captive breeding, and a ban on hunting.
Limited mostly to six mountains in Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, pandas are facing adverse conditions for survival.
According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) habitat loss due to change in land use pattern, construction of roads, landslides triggered by earthquakes, and climate change are responsible for shrinking panda population.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses