In Pictures

Saving China’s pandas

Are pandas destined to survive only in captivity?

Once the most iconic symbol of animals threatened with extinction, pandas were taken off the endangered list in 2016 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Surveys suggest the wild population has increased to more than 1,800. But China continues to give them the highest level of protection. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

By

15 Apr 2017

There are now more pandas in zoos around the world than ever before. Thanks to developments in artificial insemination, captive panda populations have grown to more than 450.

Despite this, some wildlife experts warn that the species is in grave danger.

Human encroachment from housing developments and mining present a major threat to wild panda populations.

101 East reporter Steve Chao travelled to one of the largest panda breeding centres in China to find out if captive pandas can ever return to the wild.

Young panda cubs tumble into an enclosure to feed at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

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Tourists pose for selfies just a few feet from a panda at the Dujiangyan Panda Base in Sichuan, China. Despite criticism that breeding centres are run to make money, government officials say their programmes aim to raise awareness of endangered species. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

'Pandamonium' often breaks out when pandas strike a cute pose at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, in Sichuan. Conservationists, however, believe that rather than spending government funds on entertaining people, more emphasis should be placed on protecting the habitat of wild pandas. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

Extremely popular, pandas are highly sought after by zoos worldwide. Many are willing to pay the hefty fees China charges - up to $1m a year for a pair. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

Two adolescent pandas wrestle in a tree at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan. Their playful demeanour has made pandas the strongest ambassadors for endangered species around the world. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

China's panda protection rangers face many challenges. They battle high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures to patrol reserves and keep humans from encroaching on panda habitat. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

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A team of China's panda protection rangers relax after a long day of hiking in December, 2016, through the frigid mountains of Baishuijiang National Reserve in northwestern China. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

Despite 50 years of panda protection, human encroachment into panda territory remains the most imminent threat. Entire cities are being built on the edge of reserves and industrial development often takes place inside the reserves. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

Keepers at Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, are on hand around the clock to attend to the pandas' every need – from food to water and their occasional belly scratch. Critics say China's practice of renting pandas to zoos around the world does little to help protect wild pandas. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

Pandas are shy creatures in the wild. While much more accustomed to humans in captivity, this one hides from the crowds and the sun at the Dujiangyan Panda Base in Sichuan, China. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

In order to limit the stress on pandas, Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur, maintains strict rules for tourists, including keeping noise to a minimum. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]

Tourists photograph a giant panda at Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur. Zoo officials say pandas play a critical role in educating the public about the need to protect endangered species. Conservationists, however, say that pandas are simply being exploited for profit and entertainment. [Steve Chao/Al Jazeera]