Chinese 'panda papa' Hu Jinchu leaves lasting legacy

Based on the field research and findings by Hu and his research team, Wolong National Nature Reserve was expanded from 20,000 hectares to 200,000 hectares. Several national nature reserves attained approval due to his efforts, including Sichuan Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve and Xiaozhaizigou National Nature Reserve.

After the survey, China decided to further strengthen ecological research involving the species.

In 1978, Hu led the establishment of the world's first field ecology observation station for giant pandas in the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province.

For almost half a century, he dedicated himself to research and teaching at China West Normal University, mentoring and training countless students. Many of his students continued to set up new monitoring stations for giant pandas in multiple regions in Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces.

Over several decades, the monitoring stations and reserves helped sketch an ecological map for the giant panda in China.

"Thanks to Hu Jinchu, China's giant panda conservation efforts have achieved such rich results," said George Schaller, a senior biologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Owing to the relentless protection efforts by Chinese zoologists, the International Union for Conservation of Nature downgraded the giant panda from endangered to vulnerable in 2016.