GIANT PANDA:

Also known as panda bear or simply panda is a bear native to south central China. It is easily recognized by the large, distinctive black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. The giant panda's diet is over 99% bamboo. In captivity, they may receive honey, eggs, fish, yams, shrub leaves, oranges, or bananas along with specially prepared food.

The giant panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China. The giant panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China.

A 2007 report shows 239 pandas living in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country.

As of December 2014, 49 giant pandas live in captivity outside China, living in 18 zoos in 13 different countries.

While the dragon has often served as China's national emblem, internationally the giant panda appears at least as commonly. As such, it is becoming widely used within China in international contexts, for example as one of the five Fuwa mascots of the Beijing Olympics.

Oriol Vallverdú i Pau Escolà