A staff worker runs to the rescue of a panda cub falling off a platform at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in September. Twenty-three cubs born this year met the public. [Photo by Zhang Lei/China Daily]

In the past, he says, the work was purely about human surveillance and patrol, which consume a lot of manpower. Plus, the findings were often affected by subjective factors such as the frequency of patrol and patrol routes.

He recalls that in the early 1990s, workers in forestry centers had simple aims－to protect forests and prevent forest fires and illegal hunting. In one center, a computer was like an ornament because they didn't know how to use it at all. But now staff members are trained to use advanced technology at work.

"Protection of wild giant pandas has achieved initial success－they are now considered 'vulnerable' instead of endangered, but the animals and their habitats still face threats, such as habitat segmenting due to road-building and other construction. It's essential to get support from government departments, nature reserves, scientific research personnel and corporations."

Contact the writer at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn