BEIJING

Wild panda numbers in China have risen by nearly a fifth over the last decade, according to research published Saturday.

Data from a nationwide survey by the State Forestry Administration recorded 1,864 giant pandas living in the wild in China at the end of 2013, the Xinhua state-run news agency reported.

The research showed a 16.7 percent rise on 2003 figures, recording an extra 268 pandas.

Over the decade, the highly endangered animals’ habitat has risen by 11.8 percent to 2.58 million hectares (9,960 square miles).

The three-year survey, which ended in October last year, found wild giant pandas in six mountain ranges across Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces in central China, with Sichuan having the largest habitat areas.

“These results are a testament to the conservation achievements of the Chinese government,” Xiaohai Liu, executive director of programs at the World Wide Fund for Nature, said. “A lot of good work is being done around wild giant panda conservation and the government has done well to integrate these efforts and partner with conservation organizations including WWF.”

He added: “WWF is pleased to witness this significant conservation achievement — the increase of both the wild giant panda population size and habitat area over last ten years. The survey result demonstrates the effectiveness of nature reserves in boosting wild giant panda numbers.”

China has set up 27 new nature reserves for giant pandas, bringing the total number to 67, Chen Fengxue, deputy head of the forestry administration, said.

However, the building of hydroelectric plants and roads and the development of mining and tourism have disturbed the panda's habitat, Chen added.

A 2,000-strong task force spent 60,000 working days on the survey between 2011 and 2014. It is the fourth survey to be completed, with previous research conducted in the 1970s, 1980s and 2000s.

The survey also found China's captive giant panda population reached 375 at the end of 2013, including 166 males and 209 females, more than double what it was in 2003.

A total of 42 adult pandas and cubs were living overseas in 12 countries by June last year as a result of collaborative research with other countries.