In a remarkable discovery that sheds new light on the history of pandas in Asia, a well-preserved giant panda fossil has been unearthed in a limestone cave in Chenggu County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. The find includes a skull fossil that is more than 90 percent complete and other skeletal remains that are approximately 70 percent intact.
Experts have tentatively dated the fossils to between 200,000 and 10,000 years ago, placing them in the Late Pleistocene epoch. This period was a dynamic time for wildlife in Asia, with significant climatic shifts influencing animal habitats and evolution.
“This is the first time such a well-preserved giant panda fossil has been found in Shaanxi,” noted Li Ming, a paleontologist involved in the excavation. “The completeness of the skull and skeletal remains provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the evolutionary history of this iconic species.”
The discovery holds significant scientific and educational value, offering insights into the ancient habitats and adaptations of giant pandas. It may also help researchers understand how environmental changes over millennia have affected the distribution and survival of species in the region.
Giant pandas are a national treasure in China and a symbol of wildlife conservation worldwide. This fossil find not only enriches the scientific community’s understanding of the species but also resonates with the public’s enduring fascination with pandas.
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Rare giant panda fossil discovered in a limestone cave in Shaanxi
cgtn.com
