Ailuropoda melanoleuca

(David, 1869)

Vernacular names
English : Giant panda
French : Panda géant

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Ursidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 180 cm, tail length of 16 cm, weight of 125 kg. Unmistakable. Round head with large round ears, stocky body, broad but short tail. White fur with black markings on eyes, ears, limbs, breast and upper back.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to central China and only occurs in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi. Lives in temperate montane forests with bamboo stands, between 1200 and 4100m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix I
Status : This species is highly endangered and its populations are declining because of loss of habitat. Range fragmentation is also a major threat.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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