Over 80% of China's key terrestrial wild species effectively protected

China's wildlife habitats have improved in recent years, with over 80% of key state-protected terrestrial wild animal and plant species now under effective protection, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. The figures were released on Tuesday, the 13th World Wildlife Day, as reported by Science and Technology Daily.

Recent monitoring data show that wild populations of the giant panda, snow leopard, Amur tiger, Amur leopard and crested ibis have continued to increase.

Captive breeding of the Chinese Pangolin has advanced, with second-generation offspring now bred in captivity. Several protected tree species in the wild also show stable populations, including the baishanzu fir with more than 4,000 individuals and magnolia sinica at about 15,000.

To date, China currently lists 988 species or categories of state-protected wild animals and around 1,200 species of state-protected wild plants. The first batch of five national parks covers nearly 30% of the country's state-protected terrestrial wildlife species.

China has also set up nearly 600 terrestrial wildlife rescue and rehabilitation institutions. Work has been carried out on captive breeding, reintroduction and rescue programs for rare and endangered species including the giant panda, crested ibis and snow leopard.