- Animals
- Last of the Wild
China’s new panda park will be three times bigger than Yellowstone
Its creators say the expanded refuge will protect the bear and many other species—but one expert says major roadblocks remain.
The huge earthquake that rocked China’s Sichuan Province 11 years ago this month was a catastrophic human tragedy. But it also drew attention to the vulnerability of the country’s giant pandas.
The magnitude 8.0 temblor destroyed large swaths of panda habitat, as well as parts of the Wolong Panda Center, a key breeding facility for the vulnerable species. Several pandas died.
Now, all eyes are back on these iconic animals as the Chinese government creates a supersize national park in their name.
The proposed Giant Panda National Park—whose final plan will likely be finalized in fall 2019—spans 10,476 square miles, nearly triple the area of Yellowstone. (Check out three places to see giant pandas in the wild.)
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