National Panda Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Panda Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Panda Day is observed on March 16th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Panda Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you may want to know about National Panda Day.

📅 What day is National Panda Day 2024?

In 2024, National Panda Day is on Thursday, March 16th. It is the 3rd Thursday in March; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can discover all the fun details and facts about March 16, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

China celebrates its fluffy, bamboo-loving bears every March 16th. These bears include the Giant panda, a black and white species, and the Qinling panda, a smaller brown variety. Discovered in 1985 in the mountainous areas of Shaanxi Province, these pandas are only found in China’s remote mountains. In 2019, the pandas’ conservation status was updated from “endangered” to “vulnerable” due to their population experiencing rapid growth.

📜 National Panda Day History

In 2020, pandas were classified as “vulnerable” to extinction due to efforts in zoos, reforestation, and conservation. Although they are no longer on the brink of extinction, it is crucial to protect panda habitat because these bears have a significant impact on our natural environment. There have been recent debates, both in China and globally, regarding the importance of investing in captive panda breeding and preserving the forests where wild pandas live. A scientific report from The Society for Conservation Biology in 2015 revealed that conserving panda habitat benefits a large number of forest birds, mammals, and amphibians in China. Given the vital role pandas play in forests, it is our responsibility to ensure their safety.

✅ National Panda Day Facts

🔖 Their scientific name has an odd meaning
The scientific name given to pandas is Ailuropoda melanoleuca, which can be translated to mean “food for black and white cats!”

🔖 Newborn pandas are blind

🔖 They spend 14 hours just eating
This means that they can consume as much as 83 pounds of bamboo each day, depending on the part of the bamboo they eat.

👍 Why Is National Panda Day Important

Giant pandas transferred to American and Japanese zoos in the 1970s were among the first cultural gifts traded between China and the West. This is known as “panda diplomacy.” Pandas are still considered esteemed visitors in China, and some people believe they bring good luck.

Though pandas are normally shy and antisocial with humans, they enjoy cuddling and napping for hours after a meal. It’s impossible not to like these fluffy, tuxedo-clad beasts, both in the wild and in zoos.

A giant panda infant is the tiniest animal newborn in comparison to its mother. They are generally the size of a stick of butter when they are born.

🙂 How To Observe National Panda Day

⚡ “Adopt a Panda”

⚡ Watch a nature documentary about pandas
While the cartoon series “Kung Fu Panda” is a good introduction, watching real-life documentaries about pandas provides a more accurate understanding. For instance, “A Panda Is Born-Documentary About Taishan” is a great choice as it explores the life of Taishan, one of the most famous pandas globally. Taishan was born at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and holds the distinction of being the first panda to survive into adulthood.

⚡ Wear pandas to start a conversation
You may fund and digitally “adopt” a panda online, which will help ensure their survival in the future. The expense of caring for a panda in captivity might be high, but you are giving these creatures longer, more pleasant lives.

📅 When is National Panda Day?

Discover all 🔗 March holidays, including 🔗 Animal and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about National Panda Day. So be sure to check back soon.