Unfortunately, Giant Pandas are a highly endangered species. Luckily one heritage site and reserve in China safely holds more than 30% of the world's panda population. These beautiful bears have more than 2 million acres there to roam, snack and play.
 
It is also the most important breeding site for pandas in captivity, with 7 nature reserves, 9 scening parks and the Wolong national nature reserve, which alone is home to more than 150 giant pandas.

 

The biggest sanctuary for Pandas is the world heritage site in China, which covers more than 2,284,489 acres. More than 150 giant pandas call this place home, like this adorable giant panda cub.

 

A dozen panda cubs in a crib. The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuary has one of the most significant breeding site for giant pandas, who are infamous for being difficult breeders in captivity.

A panda baby is born pink, blind and without any teeth. After a few weeks, the skin will turn grey, and by the time a month passes, the cubs are covered in the well known (and extremely fluffy) black and white fur. A panda cub will weigh about 100 pounds (45 kilos) by the time they are one year old.

 

16 pandas at the wolong national nature reserve, a part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries. Some claim that of the 1600 or so giant pandas left in the world, more than 300 are in zoos, breeding centers and research institutes. Most of the pandas still in the wild live in China.

 

It's hard to be a panda. A panda taking one of their many naps for the day.

 

Frisky youngling hanging out with a tress. Panda cubs start climbing trees when they are no older than six months old.

 

Up close and personal with a 7 month old panda at the Wolong Nature Reserve.

 

Now we're getting to 17 panda cubs in one photo! That must be the greatest place to be for fluffiness lovers.

 

Trees are the La-Z-Boy of the panda world.

 

Playful panda at the Chengdu Research Base, which studies how giant pandas breed.

 

Mommy panda holding her little baby protectively at the research center.

 

The giant panda has a very large paw with 5 fingers and an added 'thumb' for clmbing and holding on to bamboo while eating.

 

It's nice to share. 4 Pandas sharing a tree to climb on at Wolong National Nature Reserve.

 

Baby panda weight about 100-200 grams (3.5 to 7 ounces) at birth and are about 15-17 cm (6-7 inch) long.

 

The giant panda is one of the most well known endangered species. The sanctuaries cover an area of more than 2 million acres! These include 7 nature reserves and 9 scenic parks.

 

Cuddling pandas at Wolong nature reserve.

 

The average panda can eat as much as 9-14 kg (20-30 pounds) of bamboo shoots every single day.

 

A young panda. As they become adults, pandas may measure about 1.2-1.8 meters (4-6 feet) long, including the tail.

 

Lazy play time for young panda.

 

Three 'teen' pandas at Wolong. The average pandas weight is about 100-115 kg (220-250 pounds), while male pandas may achieve a weight of up to 160 kg (350 pounds). The weight of female pandas varies between 70-100 kg (170-220 pounds).

 

One sees the world one way, the other sees it upside down.

 

- To be continued -