Wild species populations rebound, thanks to policies and protections

Wild populations of giant pandas, crested ibises and Asian elephants in China have continued to grow as their habitats and breeding environments improve, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced on Monday.

China is building a national park system that will be the world's largest, protecting more than 80 percent of the country's key wildlife species and their habitats, the administration said while marking the 12th World Wildlife Day on Monday.

Officials attributed the improvement in ecosystems and flagship species conservation to stronger policies and legal protections, increased financial investment and coordinated efforts in both in situ and ex situ conservation.