According to a survey conducted by WWF and China's Shaanxi Forestry Department, the giant panda habitat in the Qinling Mountains in central China has been expanded, improving protection of the endangered species.

"It's very encouraging that panda habitat has improved in size and quality," said Dermot O'Gorman, WWF country representative in China. "We hope the corridors can connect the panda populations separated by the highway, free the animal from human and traffic disturbance, and bring new hope to the conservation of wild giant pandas in Qinling."

The Qinling Mountains, encompassing a total area of 52,000 square kilometers, are home to less than 300 pandas. However, rapid development and human settlement in the area in recent years have become major threats to the animal, which has little connection to other panda populations. The survey reportedly now says the panda's habitat has been extended by 26 kilometers to the east, 39 kilometers to the west, 4 kilometers to the south and north.

WWF says a newly-planted "green" corridor above the Qinling Tunnel along National Road 108 has also contributed to bridging panda populations. The survey was compiled from the results of monitoring and patrolling activities in 19 panda nature reserves over ten counties in the Qinling area.

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