Panda Babies Take Center Stage

No less than 36 newborn panda cubs were presented to an adoring public on 13th October 2017. They were born at the Ya'an Bifengxia and Wolong Shenshuping Bases, of the China Giant Panda Conservation Research Center.

In all 42 giant panda cubs were born in 2017 representing an historic high. They included 15 pairs of twins. 

Since the beginning of May, the panda keepers have been taking it in turns to keep a 24-hour watch for new arrivals.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared in September 2016 that thanks to the persistent protection efforts of the Chinese government, the giant panda has been transferred from Endangered Species to Vulnerable Species of animals. According to the IUCN, "The improved status confirms that the Chinese government's efforts to conserve this species are effective."