PANDA BEARS

Panda Bears - Hugging is their ultimate way to express affection.

The panda is native to China, where it is regarded as a national treasure.  It often serves as a national symbol at international events and is gifted to countries on a 10-year loan basis as part of diplomatic exchanges.  A country can only receive them if they have good relations with the People's Republic.  They're mostly found in the mountain ranges of Central China and mainly in the Sichuan Province.  In China,  pandas are also known as white bear, bamboo bear and large bear cat.

The panda has a history of 8 million years.  Even though they look soft, cuddly and huggable, they have a dangerous side when they feel threatened.  They like to avoid confrontation, but will attack to protect themselves or their cubs, if provoked.  They have physical strength and powerful jaws and teeth.  They have a bite strength similar to that of a lion.

Pandas eat mainly bamboo and drink fresh water from rivers and streams that are fed by melting snow on top of the mountains.  

Did you know that in 1961, March 16th was declared National Panda Day?  Pandas are considered an umbrella species.  Protecting them and their habitat benefits other species.  Conservation efforts to protect pandas indirectly protect other endangered species that share their habitat.  A 2015 publication by The Society for Conservation Biology revealed that preserving the panda's natural habitat helps 70% of the country's forest birds, 70% of mammals and 31% of amphibians. 

The panda is a symbol of peace and friendship in China.  It represents conservation efforts worldwide.  Its image is globally recognized and used in wildlife conservation campaigns, emphasizing the importance of environmental protection.

 The name "panda" is believed to be derived from the Nepalese words "nigalya ponya" meaning bamboo eater.

Panda Wisdom:  Sometimes the best action is inaction.