Mystery of the brown giant panda

The world’s first brown panda was discovered in 1985 in the Qinling Mountains. All recorded photographs of wild brown pandas were taken in the area. Experts say there are many theories about the origin of brown giant pandas, such as gene mutations and atavism. At present, no final conclusion has been reached and further study is needed. Pandas are increasingly endangered in the wild, and the sighting of one with extremely rare brown-and-white fur is now raising fears that the species may be suffering from inbreeding.