The number of pandas in China's care has been revealed
To date, a total of 69 pandas have been sent abroad under international programs. As a result, 73 pandas have been born in other countries.
**It has been revealed how many pandas are under China's care**
The number of pandas kept in captivity in China has reached 830. At the same time, their genetic diversity is also improving. This was announced on November 3 at the Global Panda Partners 2026 conference.
In recent years, special ecological corridors have been constructed. They reconnected 13 pandas that were previously isolated from each other to the general population. Researchers recorded more than 150 instances of movement of pandas and other animals in these corridors. As a result, it has become significantly easier for pandas to move across territories and find mates.
The panda is a symbol of China and an emblem of biodiversity conservation. More than 1 billion visits have been recorded worldwide to view them. The year 2026 marks five years since the establishment of the Giant Panda National Park. The park has achieved initial results in ecological protection.
The Sichuan section of the park accounts for nearly 19.3 thousand square kilometers. This is equal to approximately 90 percent of the total area. 1,227 wild pandas live in this area. According to a representative of the Sichuan Forestry and Grassland Administration, more than 22.6 thousand hectares of panda habitat have been restored over the past five years.
Control over human activities in the national park has been strengthened. Activities harmful to nature were gradually phased out. For this reason, 200 mining licenses were revoked. In addition, 270 of the 281 small hydroelectric power stations that were subject to closure have been decommissioned.
Thus, the number of wild pandas has increased from 1,100 in the 1980s to 1,900 today. The number of pandas in captivity is also growing thanks to scientific assistance. A Chinese-English analytical report was presented at the conference. It highlighted China's experience in ecological civilization and nature conservation.
**"Umbrella" protection for other species**
The establishment of the national park has also served to protect other species. Over the past five years in Sichuan, 14 new plant species and two new species of amphibians and reptiles have been discovered.
The numbers of rare animals are also recovering. The number of areas where leopards (snow leopards) have been identified is increasing year by year. Meanwhile, the population of golden monkeys has remained stable and increased in some places.
**International cooperation and panda diplomacy**
Against this backdrop, international cooperation on panda conservation has expanded. Since the 1990s, China has been conducting research jointly with 26 institutions in 20 countries.
Currently, pandas live in countries such as the United States and France. China is implementing special programs on panda breeding with Spain and Belgium. Specialists are working together on panda breeding, cub care, and disease treatment.
Additionally, on September 27, two pandas named Pingping and Fushuang arrived at the Atlanta Zoo in the US. They will live there for 10 years.
So far, a total of 69 pandas have been sent abroad under international programs. As a result of this cooperation, 73 panda cubs have been born abroad. This serves to combine scientific resources and advance research.