Giant pandas’ genetic diversity helps them adapt to environmental change

The giant panda’s immune system is fairly diverse, genetically speaking, suggesting the endangered species may be more resilient to environmental change than previously thought, scientists say.

Biologists estimate that only about 1,500 giant pandas live in the wild today, confined to six isolated mountain ranges in south-central China.Panda fossil remains suggest the charismatic bears once roamed through parts of Burma and northern Vietnam as well, but have since suffered from environmental change and habitat fragmentation, and have been listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature since 1990.

Read the full, original story here: Giant Pandas More Resilient to Change than Other Endangered Animals

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Additional Resources:

• “Canine virus threatens Siberian tiger,” BBC News
• “Helping zoos make sure captive species survive,” Scotsman