Update | In the black: China's wild panda population grew in past 10 years, new census finds
Survey finds population in the wild has risen by nearly 270 since 2003
Though reputed to be lazy at sex, wild giant pandas on the mainland have somehow managed to get in the mood - enough to bump up their numbers over the past decade.
According to a census by the State Forestry Administration released yesterday, the panda population has grown by 268, to a total of 1,864 since 2003.
The mainland began surveying its giant pandas in the 1970s. The latest census began in 2011 and was completed last year.
"The rise in the population of wild giant pandas is a victory for conservation and definitely one to celebrate," said Ginette Hemley, senior vice-president of wildlife conservation for WWF. Hemley credited efforts by the mainland government for the increase. The survey shows 1,246 wild giant pandas live within nature reserves.
The forestry administration said the country had set up 27 new preservation areas for giant pandas, contributing to the growth in their numbers.
"The survey result demonstrates the effectiveness of nature reserves in boosting wild giant panda numbers," said Xiaohai Liu, executive programme director for WWF-China.
According to the official figures, nearly three-quarters of the wild pandas live in the southwestern province of Sichuan . The remaining pandas were found in the neighbouring Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.
According to the WWF, captive pandas' disappointing breeding rates had spurred the impression that they were lazy at sex. But it said wild pandas had better reproductive rates. Mating season was typically between March and May, according to the conservancy.
Female pandas can mate with several males, and the gestation period lasts 160 days. They gave birth to about one cub every two years, it said.
The number of giant pandas in captivity grew by 211, more than double the previous survey figure, according to the census.
However, economic development remains a threat to the rare animal and its habitat. The survey has found 319 hydropower stations and 1,339km of roads in the giant panda's habitat.
The WWF said it was the first time that large-scale infrastructure projects such as mining and railroads were referenced in the survey. Traditional threats such as poaching were on the decline, the organisation noted.
The official newspaper said on its Twitter account that 42 adult pandas and cubs were living overseas in 12 countries as of last June, according to data from a national survey. Many were given as gifts by China as part of its diplomatic efforts.
