1,864
giant pandas counted in the wild
China's fourth national giant panda survey counted 1,864 wild giant pandas between 2011 and 2014.
World Wildlife Fund, 2016A Reference From The Bamboo Corner
Giant panda statistics and facts
A clear collection of population, habitat, diet, and conservation facts for curious people who want to know more about one of the world's most beloved bears.
Last updated September 15, 2026
At A Glance
Six details worth knowing.
Giant pandas have made an encouraging recovery from their lowest numbers, but their future still depends on protected, connected mountain forests. Each fact below links to the organization that published it.
16.8%
increase from the prior national survey
The same survey recorded a 16.8% increase in the wild population compared with the previous survey.
World Wildlife Fund, 201667
panda nature reserves reported
WWF reported 67 panda reserves following the fourth national survey, giving more of the species' mountain habitat formal protection.
World Wildlife Fund, 201699%
of a giant panda's diet is bamboo
Bamboo makes up about 99% of a giant panda's diet, which is why connected, healthy bamboo forests matter so much.
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, accessed 202610-16
hours a day spent feeding
Giant pandas can spend 10 to 16 hours of a day feeding, an extraordinary rhythm shaped by a bamboo-heavy diet.
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, accessed 2026Vulnerable
global conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the giant panda as Vulnerable, a reminder that recovery still depends on long-term habitat protection.
IUCN Red List, assessment published 2016Why It Matters
One animal, an entire mountain home.
Giant pandas live in cool, damp mountain forests in central China. Those forests are more than a pantry. They provide shelter, places to raise cubs, and corridors that let panda populations stay connected.
A panda story is never only about the panda. It is also about bamboo, forests, and the patient work of protecting a home that many other species share.
Sources And Method
Built for easy reference.
This page brings together published figures from the World Wildlife Fund, the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and the IUCN Red List. Statistics retain the date associated with their source, because conservation data is collected and released on different schedules.
- World Wildlife Fund, giant panda survey update, 2016 ↗
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, giant panda profile, accessed 2026 ↗
- IUCN Red List, giant panda assessment, 2016 ↗
Cite this page
Bamboo Corner. Giant Panda Statistics and Facts. Updated September 15, 2026. https://ziggypanda.com/giant-panda-statistics
A Little More Wonder
Follow the story wherever your curiosity leads.
Find a small panda discovery for a desk, a gift, or a corner that could use a little warmth.