Their classification was downgraded as the number in the wild has reached 1,800, officials said.
Giant pandas are no longer classified as endangered but are still vulnerable, Chinese officials say.Experts say that the country managed to save its iconic animal through its long-term conservation efforts, including the expansion of habitats.
The latest classification upgrade "reflects their improved living conditions and China's efforts in keeping their habitats integrated", said Cui Shuhong, head of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's Department of Nature and Ecology Conservation at a news conference. This week's announcement by China's environmental ministry is the first time the animal's status was changed on its own endangered species list, which uses similar standards as the Swiss-based IUCN.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China shuts down social media accounts of LGBT+ student organisationsThe Cyberspace Administration of China blocked dozens of accounts and deleted all their content
Read more »
Currency and control: why China wants to undermine bitcoinBeijing’s crackdown on cryptocurrencies has captured headlines, while behind the scenes its reserve bank set up its own digital currency
Read more »
China is developing underwater robots that can attack WITHOUT humansThe drones were developed in experiments over a decade ago in China and successfully managed to use artificial intelligence to find a dummy submarine and attack it with a torpedo.
Read more »