Zoo Animals

Giant Panda

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the most beloved and iconic animals in the world, native to the bamboo forests of China. Known for their black-and-white fur and gentle demeanor, giant pandas are actually members of the bear family. Despite their carnivorous ancestry, pandas are almost entirely herbivorous, consuming up to 40 pounds of bamboo daily.

These solitary animals spend most of their day eating and resting. They are excellent climbers and can also swim, which helps them navigate their mountainous habitats. The panda's role as a flagship species has made it a symbol of wildlife conservation worldwide.

Once critically endangered, intensive conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and captive breeding programs, have helped increase panda populations. The species is now classified as Vulnerable, but ongoing efforts are needed to protect their bamboo-rich habitats from deforestation and climate change.