In year 2013, continuing the previous edition, Guernsey Post issued special stamps for endangered species, featuring the animal species, Panda .
Peaceful and secretive creatures, Giant Pandas have steadily lost their forest habitat to China’s expanding human population. These striking animals, which were once widespread in southern and eastern China, are now confined to fragmented forest patches high in the southwestern mountains.
Classified by the IUCN as Endangered, the most recent study of Giant Pandas and their habitat revealed there are only around 1,600 left in the wild. Restricted and degraded habitat is the greatest threat to Giant Pandas. The animals’ range has contracted due to the conversion of forests to agricultural areas, poaching, and large-scale development activities such as road and rail construction.
As member of the bear family, the Giant Panda is the only species in its genus. The animals have the digestive system of a carnivore, but have adapted to a vegetarian diet. They depend almost exclusively on bamboo as a food source and can eat up to 80 pounds of this fibrous plant in just one day.
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