Giant pandas at Qinling Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding of Shaanxi Academy of Forestry in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Captive panda family expands: the number of captive pandas worldwide has increased to 600.

XI'AN, Dec. 3, 2019 (Xinhua) -- The total number of captive pandas has risen to 600 worldwide this year, according to China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

The rising number of captive pandas shows that a healthy, dynamic and sustainable captive panda population has basically taken shape, according to the administration, adding research on wild giant pandas is also making progress.

Giant panda Qiao Qiao is seen at Qinling Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding of Shaanxi Academy of Forestry in Xi'an, Dec. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Giant panda Xiao Xin is seen at Qinling Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding of Shaanxi Academy of Forestry in Xi'an, Dec. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Giant panda Qiao Qiao eats at Qinling Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding of Shaanxi Academy of Forestry in Xi'an, Dec. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Giant panda Heng Heng eats bamboo leaves at Qinling Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding of Shaanxi Academy of Forestry in Xi'an, Dec. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)■