Location of the first discovery of giant pandas in Heihe National Forest Park and why they are a national treasure

As is widely known, the giant panda is a species unique to our country, with its main habitat being the mountainous regions of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Recently, Heihe National Forest Park discovered a giant panda for the first time! Where exactly? Why is the giant panda a national treasure?

1. Heihe National Forest Park discovered a giant panda for the first time!

Recently, while checking the infrared cameras set up in the scenic area, staff at Heihe National Forest Park found that a giant panda had been photographed near the scenic area for the first time, along with other national treasures such as takins and tufted deer. It is understood that the dates on which the giant panda and the takin were photographed were March 19 and March 31 of this year respectively.

2. Where exactly is Heihe National Forest Park?

Heihe National Forest Park, where the giant panda was discovered for the first time, is located in a remote spot far from Houzhenzi Town in Zhouzhi County. At the end of February this year, staff set up infrared cameras on a mountain ridge in the scenic area. On May 31, while checking the infrared cameras, they found that the cameras had captured many wild animals.

The forest park covers an area of 7462 hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 94%. National Highway 108 runs through and connects the area, making transportation very convenient. The park has dense forests, and rare wild animals such as giant pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys and takins roam within it. There are historical and cultural sites such as the Tangluo Road, Yingpan Ridge, Diaoyutai and the Damang River. In spring the mountain flowers bloom in profusion, in summer the dense forest blocks out the sun, in autumn red leaves cover the mountains, and in winter everything is blanketed in white snow.

The park has four major scenic areas and more than 100 attractions. The park is a World Wide Fund for Nature ecotourism demonstration area, the Heihe Scenic Area of the Qinling Zhongnanshan UNESCO Global Geopark, a national-level forest park, and a national AAA-level tourist attraction

3. Why is the giant panda a national treasure?

The giant panda is found only in China, is few in number, is on the verge of extinction, and is very cute. The giant panda is also what people often call a living fossil; several hundred thousand years ago was the peak period of the giant panda, and this has very important scientific value for the study and protection of biodiversity as well as changes in the Earth's environment.

Apart from spending half of each day eating, the giant panda spends most of the remaining half of its time asleep. In the wild, giant pandas sleep for 2-4 hours between every two meals. 99% of the giant panda's food is bamboo, and there are a total of 12 genera and more than 60 species of bamboo plants that giant pandas can eat. The lifespan of a wild giant panda is 18-20 years, while in captivity it can exceed 30 years.

The above is an introduction to the first discovery of a giant panda in Heihe National Forest Park. Friends planning to visit during the holidays should remember to make a reservation in advance.