Feces and other traces of giant pandas were found in a nature reserve in southwest China's Sichuan Province, suggesting the animals have ventured further than previously thought, local forestry authorities said on Friday.

Panda feces were found in bamboo woods 3,140 meters above sea level in Miyaluo Nature Reserve in Li County on Monday. Reserve employees later uncovered evidence of foraging 30 meters away from the droppings.

A 2013 national survey found no evidence of activity in the area. This week's discovery shows that giant pandas live in a wider area than previously believed.

Cameras have since been installed in the area, and patrol and monitoring has been stepped up.

Miyaluo reserve is adjacent to Wolong National Nature Reserve, known as the "home of the giant panda".

Giant pandas are one of the world's most endangered species. About 1,600 live in the wild, mostly in the mountains of Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces, while more than 300 live in captivity.

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