This week, a stunningly cute one-month-old giant panda cub has attained viral success after he was photographed giving what looks like an adorable little wave.
The precious close-up was captured by Dr. Katherine Feng at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, which is part of the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China.
According to Globio.org, the Wolong Nature Reserve, located "high in the mountains" of Sichuan, is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. Said to be China's largest panda reserve, it is also home to more than 150 giant pandas.
"I photographed giant pandas of all ages and documented the work of the dedicated staff in their efforts to save them from extinction," said Feng, according to the Daily Mail.
The photographer reportedly worked with the Wolong pandas for four years. However, despite the familiarly, Feng said that the sheer cuteness of the animals was never lost on her.
"It was so tempting to pet and play with the baby pandas," she said, according to the Sun. "They are roly-poly balls of black and white and so cute to watch."
This particular photograph of the "waving" cub was first taken by Feng in 2003, but its frequent resurgence on the Interwebs is a testament to its timeless quality.
According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), the giant panda is the world's most endangered bear and is a "national treasure" in its native China.
Habitat destruction and other damaging human activities threaten the usually shy, bamboo-eating species. According to WWF estimates, just 1,600 wild pandas remain. Dozens of panda reserves, like the Wolong reserve in Sichuan, have been established in China and elsewhere to conserve panda populations.
Related
Before You Go
