Animals are at much greater risk of extinction in China than in other countries, with habitats threatened by urbanisation and human encroachment, according to a Chinese government assessment published this week.
In a bid to reverse the damage done to its environment by rapid growth, China has been setting up national parks, nature reserves andaimed at putting vulnerable habitats beyond the reach of human activity, with 30% of the country's territory now protected.
"The results show that the extinction risk of vertebrates in China is far higher than the world average," the ministry said in a report published late on Monday. "Species extinction and regional extinction events have occurred in all animal groups." The ministry said nearly 30% of China's reptile species were under threat, higher than the global rate of 21.2%. The total number rose to 137 species, up from 110 since an earlier 2004 survey.
Progress has been made, especially with "charismatic" species like the giant panda, which has seen its population reach around 1,800. The panda was downgraded from "endangered" to "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2021.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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