Travelers wanting to experience all that Asia has to offer when traveling to Vietnam might have heard of the world-famous Asian Giant Panda and wondered if they might be able to see one while touring Vietnam. Let’s see if we can’t find any pandas in Vietnam.
No, there are no pandas in Vietnam. There are no pandas living in the Vietnamese jungles, nor in the Vietnamese lowlands, nor are there any pandas held in captivity in any of the Vietnamese zoos or parks. There have not been pandas in Vietnam for a very long time.
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Are There Pandas In Vietnam?
There are currently no pandas in Vietnam. Travelers will not find them while roaming the Vietnamese jungles, nor will they see them on display in any of the beautiful zoos or Safari parks dotted around Vietnam.
One of the main reasons why the panda population dwindled is because of habitat loss. The few places around northern Vietnam and northern Myanmar where bamboo used to grow in abundance have slowly been routed out by human infrastructure such as roads, dams, railways, etc.
Another reason there are no pandas in Vietnam is that pandas live in the lowland areas. Still, due to climate change and deforestation efforts by the locals for profit, these lowland areas shrunk too small to support the pandas living there. Thus the panda population slowly started to decline until there were no more pandas living wildly in Vietnam.
What Is A Panda’s Native Habitat?
The panda once thrived all over southern and eastern China and could even venture as far as Myanmar and Vietnam. Once humans entered their jungles, however, they fled as far away from their natural habitats as possible. This forced migration had a severe impact on the world’s panda population.
Pandas prefer densely packed forested areas where bamboo grows in abundance. These areas give the pandas enough food to sustain their massive size and provide enough protection from predators. Bamboo is one of the quickest-growing plants in the world, meaning that pandas rarely have to venture out in search of food.
Full-grown pandas can eat up to 80 pounds of bamboo per day. If there isn’t any bamboo around, they have been observed to catch and eat small rodents and other animals.
Can You Privately Own A Panda In Vietnam?
No one is allowed to own pandas in Vietnam privately. Anyone caught transporting a panda, living or dead, or any part of a panda will face a hefty fine and potentially prison.
The Vietnamese government has taken a solid stance to curb illegal animal trafficking and produce markets. The local governments utilize different economic, political, and legal measures to help protect their local wildlife and encourage conservation.
The Vietnamese legal system’s regulations protecting wildlife and endangered animals can be divided into three groups. These groups are (1) handling confiscated material evidence, i.e., wild animals, (2) regulations on wildlife management, and (3) regulations on handling wildlife-related violations.
Are Pandas Culturally Significant To Vietnamese People?
Pandas have always been a staple of eastern culture. The panda symbolizes strength, self-sufficiency, and endurance. Though unproven, many believe that pandas are as strong, if not stronger, than tigers. Pandas are also perceived as kind and gentle, thus becoming a symbol of friendship.
The white and black parts of a panda’s fur also symbolize harmony, as it resembles the Yin and Yang. When pandas roamed wildly throughout Asia, they gave the Asian people identity through unity, as they were the glue that held neighboring countries together.
Pandas will always be culturally significant to the Vietnamese, even though travelers won’t find any within the country. One day the Vietnamese people hope to regrow their panda’s natural habitat and reintroduce the pandas to their lands.
How Many Pandas Are Left In The World?
According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are only around 1864 pandas worldwide, of which about 600 live in conservation centers. To put that number into perspective, around 1970, pandas only numbered about 1000 worldwide.
There has been a sluggish but steady increase in newborn pandas. Through the efforts of local governments and generous, committed individuals and organizations, the hope is that the number of pandas left in the world will only increase from here.
If we truly want to restore the global panda population, we must unite to help drive back climate change and help rehabilitate the panda’s natural habitat. If left unchecked, deforestation and pollution will inevitably be the panda species’ downfall.
Are Pandas Dangerous?
People don’t generally consider pandas to be dangerous. Their docile lifestyle of naps and constant eating makes the pandas appear friendly and cute. However, pandas are still considered carnivores and will attack humans and other animals if they feel threatened or if their territory is under attack.
Pandas are generally solitary animals, preferring to live alone or in small groups. Male pandas become violent during their mating season as their testosterone level increases. Female pandas are very protective and become aggressive when people or other animals venture too close to their young.
Pandas are still wild animals and should be approached with that in mind. Pandas in captivity tend to be less aggressive around their human handlers but will attack tourists that they are unfamiliar with.
Are Pandas Still Endangered?
Pandas are no longer classified as an endangered species. However, their status is still listed as vulnerable. This status means that if they aren’t adequately cared for, they could be classified as endangered again.
Many efforts have been made, and significant progress has been made to re-establish the panda’s natural habitats. Through continued conservation efforts, the panda might one day be taken off the vulnerable species list and thrive in the wild again.
What Are The Different Types Of Pandas?
Though there are technically three different types of pandas, experts have elected to categorize pandas into two distinct species. Many visitors traveling to Asia will find that organizations remain committed to eductating the public on conservation and restoration of these unique bears.
Let us look at the different types of pandas and what makes them unique.
The Giant Panda
The median size of a giant panda is around 5 to 6 feet, and they can easily weigh over 200 pounds. Their most iconic feature is their black and white fur. The giant panda eats up to 16 hours daily, consuming around 80 pounds of bamboo. Even though they might seem lazy, their paws and claws make them great climbers.
The Red Panda
The red panda or Ailurus fulgens, as they are known in the scientific community, looks like a hybrid between a fox and a cat. They typically grow to about 24 inches in length and can weigh up to 13 pounds. Red pandas have been observed to use their long bushy tails for extra warmth while they sleep.
The Qinling Panda
The qinling panda is seen as a sub-species of the giant panda. What makes these pandas unique are smaller heads, brown fur, and larger size. These pandas can weigh up to 250 pounds and grow up to 6 feet in length. Their standing height is around 2-3 feet tall. Brown pandas are considered to be even rarer than their giant panda cousins.
