Wolong Nature Reserve, China's largest artificial panda breeding center, located in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, reported a record survival rate this year.
A total of 12 cubs were born through using artificial breeding techniques, and 11 survived, according to Li Weiyu, deputy director of the nature reserve.
Another important breeding center in Sichuan -- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Center -- has bred six pandas this year, and another eight are expected to be born next year, according to Li Guanghan, director of the center.
The giant panda is among the most endangered species in the world, with only 1,000 living in the wild.
A giant panda only conceives one or two babies each year. Many new born cubs are often abandoned by the mother if she cannot feed or take care of two cubs at once.
(People's Daily 11/20/2000)
