After more than 20 years on the endangered species list, the giant panda is now considered "vulnerable," world conservation leaders announced on Sunday.
The animal was downgraded to vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of threatened species.
That means that while the threats to pandas' survival remain high, indications show the species is in less danger of becoming extinct.
The announcement came during the IUCN World Conservation Congress. Data shows policies by the Chinese government to protect both pandas and habitats are very promising.
