iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The giant panda is no longer listed as an “endangered” species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
IUCN said the animal’s status change from endangered to “vulnerable” was because of increasing panda numbers that could be attributed to more healthy habitats made available by the Chinese government.
The World Wildlife Fund, which is represented by a panda logo, said the announcement was “a welcome piece of good news for the world’s threatened wildlife.”
“The recovery of the panda shows that when science, political will and engagement of local communities come together, we can save wildlife and also improve biodiversity,” said Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF.
But there was some bad news. According to IUCN, the panda population is also projected to decline.
“Although the population is currently increasing, climate change is predicted to eliminate >35% of the Panda’s bamboo habitat in the next 80 years, and thus the Panda population is projected to decline,” said IUCN in its update.
And the other bad news included in the update was the eastern gorilla’s status change to critically endangered. IUCN said the world’s largest primate was threatened by poaching.
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