China's captive giant panda population reaches 830

Giant panda Ai Lian enjoys its birthday feast at Locajoy animal theme park in Yongchuan District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Oct. 20, 2026. (Photo provided to China News Service)

(ECNS) -- China's captive giant panda population has reached 830, with genetic diversity continuing to increase, according to information released at the Global Panda Partners Conference 2026 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on Tuesday.

In recent years, the construction of ecological corridors has helped reconnect 13 previously isolated giant panda populations, significantly improving their habitat connectivity, according to information presented at the conference.

More than 150 instances of activity by giant pandas and other wildlife have been recorded in the corridor areas, as pandas move more frequently between habitats, creating more opportunities for interaction and breeding.

The giant panda, endemic to China, is a flagship species for biodiversity conservation worldwide. More than 1 billion visits to see giant pandas have been recorded globally, according to the conference.

(By Zhang Dongfang)