The wild panda bears in China have increased their population by 17 percent since 2003, according to a local census.

China has now 1,864 wild pandas, the census says. This is nearly a 17 percent increase from its population of 268 in year 2003.

"This news is not just about giant pandas. We are also talking about their habitats, said Nicola Loweth, regional officer of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) UK for India and China. "It means that very important ecosystems are being protected for a whole range of other species."

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Aside from an increase in their population, wild pandas have also increased its territory by 12 percent or more than 2.5 hectares.

The population increase of wild pandas can be attributed to the creation of the Giant Panda Nature Reserve Network, which oversees the safety and welfare of the wild pandas by looking into illegal logging and poaching.

The Giant Panda Nature Reserve Network also works for the expansion of habitats for the pandas. Accordingly, two-thirds of the pandas is habituating in protected areas. As reported, the nature reserves have also increased to 67 from 40 in the year 2003.

Loweth said that emerging concerns in breeding are now being considered as possible hindrances in further increase of the population of wild pandas in China.

"Their habitat has been fragmented quite substantially," Loweth explained. "Breeding can become more difficult because it is harder for pandas to move between isolated patches of habitat."

She added that physical barriers, such as roads, make it difficult for pandas to move around and breed. This can contribute to the slow rise of wild panda's population.

Pandas are important in China as they serve as the countryy's diplomacy symbol. Pandas are often given as gifts to other countries to symbolize closer international ties.

Tagswild panda, panda population, World Wildlife Fund, WWF