Once thought to be a hopeless conservation case, giant panda breeding programs have become so successful that a milestone has been reached: plans to release pandas back into the wild. Breeding technology and husbandry combined with a deeper understanding of their ecological needs helped reach the target population of over 300 pandas in zoos and breeding centers, which will enable pandas to soon re-populate the remote Chinese mountains. Thanks to the efforts of several field investigation teams and the support of the Chinese people and government, this iconic bear epitomizes reasons for hope.
