The giant panda, as a well-recognized symbol of the international wildlife conservation, is considered to be one of the most famous species in the world, because of their lovely appearance, special diet, and the unknown life habit.

The giant panda is currently threatened by the habitat fragmentation, population decline, and bamboo flowering. The giant panda has often been described as a species whose body size, dietary specialization, reproductive constraints and morphological adaptation have led it to an evolutionary dead end. Many people think that the fate of giant panda, as one of the most endangered mammals in the world, is the inevitable result of evolution. Now, a research team from China and the UK, led by Prof. Wei Fuwen in CAS Institute of Zoology, finds that the giant panda is not at an “evolutionary dead end” and still possesses high genetic diversity and evolution potentials. This result has been published on the volume 24:1801-1810 of Molecular Biology and Evolution, the authoritative journal in the field of evolution biology.

This research was supported by the CAS Innovative Research International Partnership Project and the CAS 100 Talent Program. Based on genetic population methods, the research team, teaming up with experts from Sichuan Forestry Department, China West Normal University, and Cardiff University, UK, studied the genetic diversity and variation, population structure, gene flow, and demographic history of the giant panda. The result indicated extant population displayed the high levels of genetic diversity and still had a much better chance of long-term viability. The populations had experienced the strong population expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum. Recent demographic inference demonstrated a clear genetic signature for population decline starting several thousands years ago or even further back in the past, and were accelerated and enhanced by the expansion of human populations.

Therefore, these results could help revise people's comprehension of the giant panda's future —— the giant panda is not a remaining species close to its evolutionary dead end, but a flourishing animal with evolutionary potential. The development of human being made the giant panda an endangered species.

 Recent wild giant panda censuses show that along with the improved habitats, its populations have recovered gradually. Researchers ascribe the feat to a series of the conservation efforts of the public and effective measures taken by the Chinese government, such as Giant Panda Habitat Conservation Project, Natural Forest Conservation Project, Grain-to-Green Project, the establishment of the Giant Panda Nature Reserve Network and poaching forbidden policy. We are confident that under the long-term and effective conservation endeavor, the beautiful species will have a better chance of long-term viability and a brighter future.