The Giant Pandas of China

Giant Panda Habitats Destroyed by Earthquake

Megan Koelemay

The Giant Pandas of China
A giant panda in China. © Edward Mendell

A recent report has estimated that 23% of the habitat of China’s giant pandas was destroyed by the Sichuan earthquake last May, and that fragmentation has endangered the remaining areas of panda habitation.

Researchers estimate that up to 60% of giant pandas in the region were affected by the earthquake, and that as few as 35 individuals may remain in the wild.

Some of the proposed solutions include protected corridors between fragmented areas and awareness of panda habitats in regards to post-earthquake reconstruction.

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