There are approximately 1,000 to 2,000 giant pandas living in the wild. Close to 300 pandas live in zoos or centers where breeding is encouraged with the intention of returning more pandas to their natural habitat. Most of these centers are in the mountainous regions of Southwest China.
Giant pandas are listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union due to the destruction of the panda's natural lowland habitat and their slow rate of reproduction. Giant panda females ovulate once a year. They are fertile for only two to three days during breeding season. At best, a female raises between five and eight cubs over her 20 years of sexual maturity.
