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Pandas more prevalent than previously thought

Scientists using DNA samples have doubled their estimates of the wild panda population in a nature sanctuary in China, in a finding they say bodes well for the survival of one of the world's endangered species.

The researchers believe that as few as 66 and as many as 72 pandas may be living in the Wanglang Nature Reserve -- more than twice the previous estimate of 32, Wei Fumin, a zoologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a member of the research team, said yesterday.

The researchers arrived at the estimates by taking samples of panda droppings in the reserve and developing genetic profiles.

The rising numbers are likely the result of natural population growth, migration from other areas and the effectiveness of conservation policies such as a logging ban aimed at preserving panda habitat, Wei said.

"We're really seeing these policies start to have an effect," Wei said.

Full results of the research, which was conducted by a joint British-Chinese team, were published in Tuesday's edition of the journal Current Biology.

Despite the rising numbers in Wanglang, Wei said it was too early to say whether similar studies in other preserves would show a higher overall number for China's wild panda population, now estimated at about 1,600.

"There could be other factors at work in different places," he said, adding the new methodology also shed light on little-known aspects of panda life.
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