Pandas are one of the most loved animals in the world. Ron Swaisgood Director of Applied Animal Ecology, San Diego Zoo Institue for Conservation Research says that “pandas are most loved because they remind us of ourselves.” Unfortunately, “they are also one of the most endangered due to habitat loss,” says Maria Cook. These adorable creatures are native to China, and their natural habitat is being destroyed at an alarming rate. The main reason for pandas being endangered is habitat loss due to deforestation and human development. 

Pandas are also threatened by climate change, which is causing changes in their bamboo forest habitat. As temperatures rise, the bamboo plants that pandas rely on for food are flowering earlier and dying off faster, which means that pandas have less to eat. 

Another reason for pandas to being endangered is poaching. Pandas are hunted for their fur, which is considered a luxury item in some parts of the world. For example, Japan. A panda’s coat was worth about $176,000 in the mid-1990’s. Despite being illegal, poaching remains a problem in some areas. 

Conservation efforts have been put in place to protect pandas, including breeding programs, habitat restoration, and anti-poaching measures. These efforts have been successful, but pandas are still considered vulnerable. This is true, especially in China.  

It is important that we continue to work to protect pandas and their habitat. This includes reducing deforestation, protecting bamboo forests, and limiting poaching. It is also important that we work to address the root causes of climate change. Which is hurting not just pandas but other species as well.  

We can protect pandas in multiple ways. For example, we can donate to panda organizations (world Wildlife Funds), we can tell zoos to get the pandas, we can help pandas out through climate change. A way we can help pandas through climate change is “maintaining and increasing suitable, connected habitat, and restoration of habitat with bamboo species or genotypes which are adapted to a warmer climate” says World Wildlife Fund. and lastly, we can stop hunting them. There are many more ways to protect pandas but those are the simplest ways that take 5 to 15 minutes to help them out.  

In conclusion, Pandas are in danger and there are many ways to help them out. There are only about 2,060 pandas left in the world and if we do not stop causing danger to them, there will be none left.