Cow threat to pandas

THE future of giant pandas is under threat from livestock over-grazing on its bamboo, research shows.

More than a third of one of the bears’ main habitats has been damaged by cows and horses.

It coincides with a nine-fold rise in livestock at Wanglang National Nature Reserve, central China, Chinese and US scientists say. The reserve is home to China’s largest population of wild giant pandas.

Dr Binbin Li, of Duke Kunshan University, north of Shanghai, said: “Rising numbers of free-ranging livestock have caused tremendous impacts on bamboos – 99% of the giant pandas’ diet. If grazing is left uncontrolled, we’re going to lose huge amounts of suitable habitats.”