The giant panda's broken range has created six isolated populations. The total number of giant pandas in the wild is now about 1500. Currently, there are 13 Giant Panda reserves throughout China with plans for an additional 14 more. Because giant pandas are restricted to a small area of western China, their status may be the most precarious of all the species of bears. World interest and research funds from many nations have improved the giant panda's status, but the species remains vulnerable to humans. People are working to learn more about bamboo ecology, the main source of food for pandas. There is also much work being done on breeding pandas in captivity.
For an excellent article about panda conservation, visit www.panda.org
