Panda Ball
The Giant Panda is a rare and endangered animal with only approximately 2,000 pandas existing in the wild and captivity around the world. The main reason for their decline - the natural habitat is being destroyed due to development of infrastructure, agriculture and declining bamboo forests. Climate change also adds to the stress in their environment. In addition, the female can only get pregnant 2-3 days a year making reproduction a challenge. The Bifengxia Giant Panda Base in Ya'an is one of the main panda bases in China. This large base offers dense natural forests and abundant waterfalls. They specialize in rescuing, breeding and raising giant pandas. "Panda Kindergarten" had two young Giant Pandas; each one about 10 months old. I spent 5 hours in the rain watching and photographing these two adorable, playful pandas. When pandas are this young, they learn to climb trees in order to protect themselves from predators. This panda climbed up a tall tree and curled up in a little ball. Ya'an, China. June 2016.