WWF - Giant panda rescued in north-central China

WWF - Giant panda rescued in north-central China: " 03 Jul 2006
Beijing, China – An injured panda has been rescued in a forest valley in the north-central Chinese province of Shaanxi, where traces of the endangered species had not been previously observed.

The panda was found near a river about four kilometres outside the Houzhenzi Panda Corridor Zone by a group of tourists after it had injured itself in a fall from the mountain. After being informed by a tour guide, staff from the Heihe forest park rescued the female panda with a rope sling and then hurried her to the Louguantai wild animal rescue centre. Later assessment by the centre’s staff showed that the panda suffered no series injuries.

“The accidental discovery has signalled that giant pandas are able to move into new areas in addition to the panda corridor zone where their distribution was previously perceived to be limited to,” commented Liu Xiaohai, Head of WWF China's programme office in Xi’an.

"This is testimony to the fact that under joint conservation efforts by WWF and our local partners, the areas suitable for giant panda habitation have expanded.”

Since 2002, WWF China has been working in the Heihe forest park to help establish a wildlife patrol team. So far six ranger stations have been built in the park, which is located within WWF’s South Taibaishan project region in the Qinling Mountains.

The impacts of tourism and local communities on the wildlife habitat have been reduced thanks to WWF’s efforts to help improve tourism management in the park and providing local communities with alternative livelihoods without impacting on the panda's forest habitat.

“The fact that this giant panda was found outside the corridor zone is inspiring news for panda conservation as a whole,” said Dermot O’Gorman, WWF China's country representative.

“To ensure this trend continues, more efforts and measures are needed for conservation work in this area.”

For further information:
Tan Rui, Communications Officer
WWF China
Tel: +86 10 6522 7100
E-mail: rtan@wwfchina.org"