New research suggests that China might have more giant pandas living in the wild than previous estimates.

An international research team said they found the number of wild pandas in the Wanglang Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province, has climbed to 66, up from a previous report of 27 in 2002.

The findings were published on the June 20 issue of Current Biology. The research was jointly carried out by the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wanglang Nature Reserve, Sichuan Forestry Department and Cardiff University of the United Kingdom.

In 2002, a national survey put the giant panda population in the same reserve at 27, says Wei Fuwen, director of the Center for Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, IOZ, who has lead the team for the past two years.

The research employed noninvasive techniques, including microsatellite DNA profiles from 370-plus fecal samples collected at the reserve and neighboring regions, Wei explains.

Traditionally, a census on giant pandas relies on an analysis of bite size of bamboos found in their feces combined with their home-range, which is hard to track, explains Wei.

Since the 1970s, China has carried out three national surveys on giant pandas. The first two found declines in panda population across their range in southwestern China.

However, the third survey, completed in 2002, showed a recovery of the endangered species, thanks to protective measures by the Chinese government, including a network of nature reserves and strictly enforced prohibition on poaching and deforestation.

In another promising development, the research indicates that the giant panda may have a significantly better chance of long-term viability than recently expected.

"By using the new technique, we have obtained a comprehensive record of the 'genetic ID card' of giant pandas living in the Wanglang Nature Reserve. With that data, we can monitor population trends if the work can be continued," Wei says.

In a followup, Wei's team will extend their research into other nature reserves this year, including the Foping Nature Reserve in Shaanxi Province.

The 2002 census showed that there were 1,596 wild giant pandas in China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2006)