Finally, Some Good News! Giant Pandas Aren’t Endangered Anymore

All of us are in serious need of some good news. A little pickup to say that maybe the world isn’t in crisis mode over everything.

Finally, we’re seeing a big win for people who have been working hard to preserve the pandas. New reports say that Giant Pandas are no longer listed as “endangered.” Here’s what you need to know.

According to CNN, Giant Pandas, which has been listed as endangered for decades, are no longer so. Chinese officials report the populations of Pandas, which primarily only live in southwest China, have grown in the world, sitting at around 1,800.

According to Cui Shuhong, director of the Department of National Ecological Protection of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the species are now being re-classified as “vulnerable.”

This win is a direct result of China’s efforts for over half a century to help boost the population of the Giant Pandas, which is the country’s most famous animal. Scientists and officials were able to increase the numbers by creating panda reserves sprawling across several mountain ranges in the area.

Pandas are “infamously difficult to breed,” CNN reports, saying that not only is their diet hard to maintain (they pretty much only eat bamboo), but the female panda’s fertility window is only 24 to 72 hours long each year. But officials’ efforts have been working, slowly but surely.

“China has established a relatively complete nature reserves system,” Cui said in a press release. “Large areas of natural ecosystems have been systematically and completely protected, and wildlife habitats have been effectively improved.”

According to Cui, the country is also focused on increasing populations of other endangered and rare species. Again, they’re seeing positive results. “The number of species such as Siberian tigers, Amur leopards, Asian elephants, and crested ibis has increased significantly,” he said.

Well done!