How Many Giant Pandas Are Left In The World? (2022 Updated)


A few years ago, it was as though the giant pandas would go extinct. Fortunately, there have been positive changes to the panda’s population. Come to think of it, how many giant pandas are there in the world today?

There are over 2,400 pandas both in the wild and in captivity, according to a survey of the giant panda population. Without efforts from the Chinese government, the pandas’ population would have been reduced reasonably. 

Still, the Chinese authority is not backing off in ensuring the giant pandas and their habitats are well protected.

Now, you know that there are over 2,400 giant pandas in the wild and in captivity. This is great!  But you may be thinking, out of 2,400 pandas, how many pandas are actually in the wild?

Sit down, relax and prepare to learn something new in this article!

How Many Pandas Are In the Wild?

As of now, there are over 1,800 pandas in the wild, which means these animals are no longer an endangered species. There was a time when the panda population was at risk of becoming non-existent. They were constantly attacked by man through killing and deforestation.

Since the pandas feed majorly on bamboo, they also suffered starvation when people destroyed their habitats for farming and building purposes.

The pandas, that did not suffer directly from man, died of starvation. This was one of the reasons the panda population became lesser in past years.

However, the Chinese government came up with a solution. They restored the bamboo forest; to save them from starvation. In addition, the Chinese authority made strict laws to prevent hunting the pandas illegally. 

Breeding and research centers were also set up to help the pandas reproduce and their habitats were also increased. Although it took a lot of years for the Chinese government to achieve its aim, their effort did not go to waste. 

Now, the giant pandas in the wild can live their lives in safety. Hopefully, in the coming years, their population will likely increase.

How Many Pandas Are In Captivity?

A Giant Panda In Captivity

Presently, in captivity across the world, there are more than 600 giant pandas. China’s amazing conservation program and breeding centers made this possible. In 2020, 44 baby pandas were born and properly taken care of and monitored.

With the improvement in technology, panda breeding has become easier and more effective. It was almost impossible for baby pandas to survive after birth a long time ago. At birth, the baby pandas are always tiny and blind, making them helpless and at risk of dying.

But now, lots of panda cubs have did not die young and others will still survive due to the advanced technology in breeding centers.

How Many Giant Pandas Are In the US?

As of 2013, there were over 12 pandas in zoos across the US. 

Currently, only four zoos have giant pandas in the United States. These facilities help pandas reproduce by their breeding programs, which sometimes work and other times, don’t work. Pandas cubs are really weak and helpless at birth, and helping them to survive is great work.

Deciding on the number of giant pandas in the US may not be accurate. Since the panda bears are loaned from China, they’ll have to be returned when the loan agreement expires. Keep in mind that all giant pandas in the world come from

To see giant pandas in the US, visit Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, National Zoo in Washington DC, Diego Zoo in San Diego, and Memphis Zoo in Memphis.

How Many Giant Pandas Are In China?

Many Giant Pandas In A Location

Recent statistics show that there are 1,800 giant pandas in the wild, mostly in the Sichuan Province in China. Also, around 600 giant pandas live in captivity in China. 

China can be described as the “home of the giant pandas” because all the panda bears you see across the world come from there. 

They loan these panda bears to other parts of the world, making it impossible to determine the number of these creatures in captivity. Some of them may have given birth, while others may have died. 

If you want to see giant pandas while in China, visit the popular Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center, Ocean Park in Hong Kong, and other Zoos.

How Many Giant Pandas Are In India?

Currently, there are no giant pandas in India, only red pandas can be found there. I know it sounds surprising but it is true. Note that while giant pandas and red pandas share certain similarities, they are not the same.

While the Chinese government is actively protecting the lives of the giant pandas, the Indian government is also preventing the red pandas from extinction. 

How Many Giant Pandas Are In Japan?

As of 2008, there were 8 giant pandas in Japan. Now, we can’t figure out the number of pandas in the country because they are all on loan from China. And the facilities will, at a point, return the pandas to where they loaned them from.

Only one giant panda, Lin Lin, was given to Japan from China as a symbol of friendship in 1992. Unfortunately, Lin Lin died at the age of 22, which means there is no free panda in Japan again.

But Japanese love and adore giant pandas. Believe me, pandas are naturally lovable and cute, despite their clumsy, solitary, and lazy nature. Maybe that’s why they have a place in the heart of the Japanese.

FAQ

How Many Giant Pandas Are Left in 2021?

There are 1,800 giant pandas in the wild and over 600 pandas in captivity. China’s continual effort to ensure the animals remain safe is a priceless action. Still, the Chinese government is working on increasing the pandas’ habitats and restoring the bamboo forests that have been destroyed.

Despite the efforts from the Chinese government, the pandas are not completely safe from the danger of deforestation due to climate change. However, there is a high chance that the panda population will continue to increase and remain safe in the coming years.

How Many Red Pandas Are Left in 2021?

Two Red Pandas In The Wild

There are less than 10,000 red pandas in the world presently. Same as the giant pandas, the red pandas’ population is faced with threats in their habitat. 

Animals like leopards, eagles, yellow-throated cats, and others prey on the red panda cubs. 

Their habitat was constantly destroyed by deforestation, farming, road construction, and more. There’s also the issue of hunting by humans. Let’s say, humans were the main predators of the adult red pandas.

All these factors contribute to the reduction in the number of red pandas. 

But the Indian and Chinese governments have continued to do everything possible to protect the lives of these creatures.

Why Are Giant Pandas Endangered?

One major reason the giant pandas were considered as being endangered is the loss of habitat. As the number of people in China was increasing, there was a need for more houses to accommodate inhabitants. This led to the destruction of the pandas’ habitat, thereby leading to a decrease in their main diet – bamboo. 

Sometimes, the pandas are left with nothing to eat and their habitat becomes too small to house them. During those periods, a lot of them couldn’t survive the constant attacks.

Luckily, the Chinese government planted more bamboo, thereby creating more habitats for the pandas. Moreover, they set up laws against giant pandas’ illegal hunting. Whatever happens, the giant pandas must continue to in the world!

So far, all measures put in place have produced a positive result. Now, the giant pandas are no longer at risk of going into extinction soon.

Conclusion

Now, we’ve come to the end of this article. Take a look at what we’ve discussed before leaving.

We said there are 1,800 giant pandas in the wild as of now and over 600 of them in captivity. Also, we mentioned that keeping the exact figure of pandas in the US, and Japan may not be accurate – the giant pandas have to be returned to China at an appointed time.

Don’t forget, there are no giant pandas in India but they have red pandas. And keep in mind that there are less than 10,000 red pandas on earth presently.

Finally, the panda population was formally an endangered species majorly because of habitat loss.

Do you wish to learn more about the interesting life of pandas? Click here (Best of Panda Articles).