Erica Ma

Save the Giant Pandas!

Have you noticed that every year there are fewer animals in the world? Well, animals are becoming endangered or threaten due to human activities which in turn contribute to the loss of biodiversity. Here’s a riddle: Which animal belongs to the bear family, is black and white and eats bamboo? Yes, it’s the Giant Panda! These animals are an endangered species due to habitat destruction (logging) and poaching.

Giant Pandas die of hunger and starvation because of logging. The bamboo is cut down and dies off, and trees with other food are just being cut down and taken away. They can not get or reach the food they need to survive which is a lot. A giant panda may consume 26-83 pounds of bamboo a day just to meet its energy requirements!

A poacher is the other factor. They hunt for the skin or fur of the Panda just to put on the market and get wealthy off of it. Pandas are also often killed by poachers by mistakes; they are usually poaching for Musk Deer.

Wild giant Pandas are only found in Southwestern China. Therefore it costs five more times to own one than the next most expensive animal, an elephant (another endangered species). Americans zoos are known to have pay $1 million in turn to have giant Pandas at their zoos. So, the next time you visit Washington, D.C., stop by the National Zoo and see them. The Chinese government has taken precautions to protect the giant pandas. It has declared a law against logging and poaching. A person convicted of Panda poaching could receive over ten years in prison. Organizations are also taking a stand in this. The World Wildlife (WWF) Organization has been working to conserve this species since the 1980s. Their reserves cover more than 6,000 square miles of forest in and around their habitat. The latest survey (2004) shows that there is to be an estimated of 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. There’s still hope in bringing this fascinating species back!

References:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/giantpanda/panda.html



		Erica Ma Save the Giant Pandas! Have you noticed that every year there are fewer animals in the world? Well, animals are becoming endangered or threaten due to human activities which in turn contribute to the loss of biodiversity. Here’s a riddle: Which animal belongs to the bear family, is black and white and eats bamboo? Yes, it’s the Giant Panda! These animals are an endangered species due to habitat destruction (logging) and poaching. Giant Pandas die of hunger and starvation because of logging. The bamboo is cut down and dies off, and trees with other food are just being cut down and taken away. They can not get or reach the food they need to survive which is a lot. A giant panda may consume 26-83 pounds of bamboo a day just to meet its energy requirements! A poacher is the other factor. They hunt for the skin or fur of the Panda just to put on the market and get wealthy off of it. Pandas are also often killed by poachers by mistakes; they are usually poaching for Musk Deer. Wild giant Pandas are only found in Southwestern China. Therefore it costs five more times to own one than the next most expensive animal, an elephant (another endangered species). Americans zoos are known to have pay $1 million in turn to have giant Pandas at their zoos. So, the next time you visit Washington, D.C., stop by the National Zoo and see them. The Chinese government has taken precautions to protect the giant pandas. It has declared a law against logging and poaching. A person convicted of Panda poaching could receive over ten years in prison. Organizations are also taking a stand in this. The World Wildlife (WWF) Organization has been working to conserve this species since the 1980s. Their reserves cover more than 6,000 square miles of forest in and around their habitat. The latest survey (2004) shows that there is to be an estimated of 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. There’s still hope in bringing this fascinating species back! References: http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/giantpanda/panda.html