China has inaugurated a new giant panda base in Sichuan Province, consolidating its role as a world leader in the conservation of the national symbol. The facility, located in the city of Mianyang, expands the China Center for Giant Panda Conservation and Research (CCRCGP) to a total of five operating centers across the country. The facility is expected to open to the public in 2026.
Sichuan, China inaugurates a new research base for giant pandas: the initiative
The new base, covering approximately 120 hectares, represents a significant investment in the future of giant pandas and the protection of biodiversity. The initiative is part of the Chinese government's broader strategy to promote ecosystem protection and scientific research on native species. Following the transfer of 13 pandas on Tuesday, the facility began experimental operations, with the goal of officially opening to visitors next year, once the animals have completed their adaptation process.
According to Huang Zhi, head of the Mianyang base operations team, the pandas are still acclimating to their new environment, but their overall condition remains good. A specialized team constantly monitors the animals to ensure their well-being and promote their gradual acclimation. The Mianyang site is crucial to China's conservation efforts. According to the fourth national giant panda census, 418 wild pandas live in the area, accounting for 22.41 tp3T of China's total population: the highest number ever recorded in a single prefecture-level area.
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Progress since the 1980s
Since the 1980s, the CCRCGP has made extraordinary progress in breeding and studying the giant panda. The captive-bred population has grown from just six individuals in 1983 to over 380 today, a result that testifies to the effectiveness of research programs and international cooperation. With the new base in Mianyang, China confirms its ongoing commitment to species conservation and the protection of the Sichuan ecosystem, the heart of giant panda life.