Staff at the Shaanxi Foping National Nature Reserve recently encountered a wild giant panda during a routine fire prevention patrol. Using a drone's thermal imaging, they first detected a moving heat signal, which was later confirmed to be a giant panda through visible light footage.

Located in the Qinling Mountains, the reserve boasts one of the highest densities of wild giant pandas in China, with approximately one panda per 1.5 square kilometers in its core and buffer zones.

In the past, rangers relied purely on pen, paper and fortune to track these animals. Today, the reserve has adopted an integrated smart management platform supported by infrared cameras, video surveillance and 24/7 uninterrupted monitoring. The combination of human efforts and technology is transforming the way giant panda habitats are protected.

Click the video to see how technology enables real-time monitoring of wild giant pandas.