The Panda is a mammal classified in the bear family,native to central-western and southwestern China.It is easily recognized by its large,distinctive black patches around the eyes,over the ears,and across its round body.The Panda has a diet which is 99% bamboo.The Panda may eat other foods such as honey,eggs,fish,leaves,oranges,and bananas when available.
The Panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China,in Sichuan,Shaanxi,and Gansu provinces.It once lived in lowland areas,but farming,forest clearing,and other development now restrict the Panda to the mountains.
The Panda is a conservation reliant endangered species.According to the latest report,China has 239 Pandas in captivity and another 27 living outside the country.It also estimated that around 1,590 pandas are currently living in the wild.However,a 2006 study,via DNA analysis,estimated that there might be as many as 2,000 to 3,000 Giant Pandas in the wild.Though reports show that the numbers of wild pandas are on the rise,the International Union for Conservation of Nature believes there is not enough certainty to remove the Panda from the endangered animal list.