Reserves expanded to protect panda's habitats

China will continue its efforts to protect giant pandas by expanding nature reserves and forbidding all kinds of construction and development in their habitats and surrounding areas.

The State Forestry Administration, China's wildlife watchdog, released results of the Fourth National Survey on Giant Pandas on Saturday. Despite the increase of both population and habitat area, the survey said economic development remains a threat to the preservation of the rare animal and its habitat.

The survey said habitat fragmentation is the major factor threatening the survival of giant pandas. Due to geographic isolation and human intervention, the wild population is fragmented into 33 isolated populations. Twenty-four of those have fewer than 100 pandas and are at high risk.