Cute & Cuddly! Announcing the Arrival of 23 Pandas

Thanks to conservation efforts, the population of wild pandas came to 1,864 in 2014 from 1,596 in 2004.

The bears made their public debut at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. However, it appeared one curious cub was not content with being on display and attempted to make a run for it. (Photo Courtesy: Reuters)

Nearly two dozen baby pandas made their debut on Thursday at the Research Center of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu City. The ages of the 23 pandas range from one to four months. All were born in the breeding center.

In the last three decades, 176 giant pandas were born through the efforts of the center, according to state television.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the giant panda is no longer on the list of endangered species thanks to aggressive conservation efforts.

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China has brought back the species from the brink of extinction. (Photo Courtesy: Reuters)

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classified the panda as “vulnerable” instead of “threatened”, reflecting the increase specimens living in freedom in southern China.

The population of wild pandas came to 1,864 in 2014 from 1,596 in 2004.

(With AP Inputs)

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam