The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is one of the world’s most iconic and beloved animals.
Native to China’s misty mountain forests, this striking black-and-white bear is a specialised bamboo eater, consuming up to 38kgs of the plant every day. Despite its cuddly appearance, China's national animal is a skilled climber and surprisingly agile.
There are fewer than 2,000 giant pandas in the wild, and while conservation efforts are seeing their numbers slowly increase, the charismatic bear species remains one of the rarest and most endangered animals on Earth.
10 beautiful images of giant pandas
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More about bears
- Meet the polar bear – the world's largest bear
- 10 more amazing facts about the spirit bear
- A glimpse into the life of the beguiling and elusive sun bear
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