WWF - nearly 1,600 giant pandas in the wild - Jun 2004

WWF - New survey reveals nearly 1,600 giant pandas in the wild: "Results from the most comprehensive survey of China’s giant panda population reveal that there are nearly 1,600 pandas in the wild, over 40 per cent more animals than previously thought to exist. "
"WWF experts believe that the difference is mainly due to better counting than a better environment for the giant panda."

"More than 170 people worked in 54 counties in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, covering an area of over 23,000 km2. They collected data on the state of natural resources in panda habitats, as well as the socioeconomic status of people living in the panda's range. "

"Across China there are 40 panda reserves - protected areas for pandas - compared to 13 two decades ago. "

"WWF was the first international conservation organization invited to work in China and has been working on giant panda conservation in China since 1980."