National Panda Day

Animal awareness days

Held on March 16th, National Panda Day celebrates one of the most iconic endangered animals on our planet: the panda. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about pandas and the threats they face in the wild. Most importantly, find out what you can do to help them.

About National Panda Day

Every year, we celebrate National Panda Day to honour this symbolic black and white bear endemic to China.

What is National Panda Day?

National Panda Day is held on the 16th of March every year. Calling it “National” Panda Day is a little bit of a misnomer, as it’s an international event that occurs in countries across the world.

National Panda Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of pandas and the threats they face in the wild. While most people are aware of pandas and know that they’re at risk, National Panda Day helps conservationists and animal protection organisations to provide essential information.

When was National Panda Day created?

It’s not clear when National Panda Day was created or why the creators chose to call it National Panda Day, rather than “International” or “World” Panda Day. Pandas have been a powerful symbol for animal conservation since at least 1961.

Why do we celebrate National Panda Day?

Pandas are one of the most well-known (and adorable) animals at risk. Taking a day to celebrate pandas lets us share the message that conservation can make a real difference to endangered animals while recognising the threats that pandas still face.

Pandas are sentient beings, meaning that they can experience emotions such as pain, fear, love, and joy. Celebrating National Panda Day helps us recognise their right to live free, natural lives.

6 facts about pandas

There are only about 1,860 giant pandas left in the wild. They are confined to living in six isolated mountain ranges across China.
Pandas might look distinctive with their black and white colouring, but it actually helps with camouflage.
Pandas spend between 10 and 16 hours per day eating.
Although pandas generally only eat bamboo, they still need variety in their diet. They need at least two different species of bamboo to get the right nutrients and avoid starvation.
Panda cubs weigh about 100g when they’re born. They spend almost all of their first month in constant contact with their mother, sleeping on her chest.
Habitat degradation and fragmentation, climate change, and increasing tourism are the biggest threats to pandas today.

In South-Western China we have been working to develop an education base in a natural bear habitat. The base uses camera traps to capture images of wild Asiatic black bears (and other bears such as the panda, pictured), which they are sharing through the media to encourage people not to buy bear bile products. — In South-Western China we have been working to develop an education base in a natural bear habitat.

Why pandas need our protection

Even after decades of protection, pandas remain at risk. Although their numbers are increasing and poaching is no longer a significant threat, some of the threats they face continue to grow.

They’re losing their habitat

Pandas are truly wild animals and are unable to thrive in areas with significant human activity. They used to be found across southern China and as far North as Beijing but they’re now confined to just a few mountain ranges toward the East.

Their populations are fragmented

As their habitat becomes more inhospitable due to climate change, increased human activity and growing tourism, pandas find themselves in small, isolated populations. These small populations are difficult to maintain and risk inbreeding.

They’re indirectly hunted

Due to the effectiveness of past campaigns, poaching of pandas is now almost unheard of and doesn’t represent a serious threat to their survival. However, pandas can become accidentally trapped by hunters and poachers targeting other species.

Join our fight against the exploitation and commodification of wild animals. Can you lend your voice?

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How to celebrate National Panda Day

Help raise awareness of pandas’ sentience and intelligence. Make a social media post or educate friends and family members.
Help push for changes in regulations and legislation to protect all wild animals and their habitats.
Join our campaigns to show governments and companies the growing voice for animal protection.
Sign up to our newsletter to find out about new initiatives and projects to protect pandas.

Find out about more animal awareness days

Panda FAQS

Are pandas dangerous?

Pandas look cute and cuddly but they’re still wild animals. As part of the bear family, they’re powerful and will protect themselves if they feel threatened. They have sharp claws and a strong bite and should always be treated with respect.

Are pandas endangered?

Pandas are classed as vulnerable. Their numbers are low, although recent conservation efforts mean that they are increasing. The main threats to pandas come from the loss of their habitat and human activity disrupting the solitude these animals need to thrive.

Are pandas bears?

There has been some disagreement between scientists over whether pandas are bears, racoons, or just their own kind of animal entirely. The most recent evidence strongly supports classifying pandas as bears.

Are pandas vegetarian?

Pandas prefer to be vegetarian, living almost entirely on bamboo. They can, and do, eat other plants and even small rodents but the overwhelming majority of their diet is bamboo.