Rare positive environmental news: giant panda no longer endangered

Here's something to put a smile on your face on a Wednesday arvo - news of a species being removed from the endangered list, rather than being added to it! On September 4, the International Union for Conservation of Nature announced that the universally adored giant panda had been removed from the endangered species list (though it still remains "vulnerable"), after successful conservation and breeding programmes over recent years. A 2000-2004 census counted the giant panda population at 1,596, while an estimated total population figure last year sees the population at 2,060. So, to anyone who ever thinks of complaining about the money, time and resources invested in conservation programmes, in both Australia and worldwide, we can now argue that the proof is in the panda - (that was horrible, I'm so sorry). 

While news of the giant panda being removed from the endangered list is fantastic; the species remains at risk, with climate change likely to eliminate over 35% of the panda's habitat over the next 80 years. Fingers crossed that conservation efforts can continue to aid the survival of both the panda and its habitat, and that we can see other species join the giant panda as conservation success stories. If you'd like to help the big guys out yourself, you can make a donation HERE.

H/T: Quartz