What is "giant panda"

panda \pan"da\ (p[a^]n"d[.a]), n. (Zo["o]l.)

1. A small Asiatic mammal ( Ailurus fulgens) having fine soft fur, which inhabits the mountains of Northern India. It was once thought to be related to the bears, but is now believed to be more closely related to raccoons. It has reddish-brown fur on the back and sides, and black fur on the legs and underside. Called also the lesser panda.

2. The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a bearlike black-and white mammal now found wild only in the central forests of China, which lives mainly on on bamboo. It is an endangered species, and is a popular attraction in the few zoos which have bveen able to obtain specimens.

n. ''Ailuropoda melanoleuca'' — A mammal in the ''Ursidae'' family, commonly known as the panda.

n. large black-and-white herbivorous mammal of bamboo forests of China and Tibet; in some classifications considered a member of the bear family or of a separate family Ailuropodidae [syn: panda, panda bear, coon bear, Ailuropoda melanoleuca]

The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca, lit. "black and white cat-foot"; , lit. "big bear cat"), also known as panda bear or simply panda, is a bear native to south central China. It is easily recognized by the large, distinctive black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. The name "giant panda" is sometimes used to distinguish it from the unrelated red panda. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, the giant panda's diet is over 99% bamboo. Giant pandas in the wild will occasionally eat other grasses, wild tubers, or even meat in the form of birds, rodents or carrion. In captivity, they may receive honey, eggs, fish, yams, shrub leaves, oranges, or bananas along with specially prepared food.

The giant panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China, mainly in Sichuan province, but also in neighbouring provinces, namely Shaanxi and Gansu. As a result of farming, deforestation, and other development, the giant panda has been driven out of the lowland areas where it once lived.

The giant panda is a conservation reliant endangered species. A 2007 report shows 239 pandas living in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country. As of December 2014, 49 giant pandas live in captivity outside China, living in 18 zoos in 13 different countries. Wild population estimates vary; one estimate shows that there are about 1,590 individuals living in the wild, while a 2006 study via DNA analysis estimated that this figure could be as high as 2,000 to 3,000. Some reports also show that the number of giant pandas in the wild is on the rise. In March 2015, Mongabay stated the wild giant panda population increased by 268, or 16.8%, totaling to 1,864 individuals. However, the IUCN does not believe there is enough certainty yet to reclassify the species from endangered to vulnerable.

While the dragon has often served as China's national symbol, internationally the giant panda appears at least as commonly. As such, it is becoming widely used within China in international contexts, for example as one of the five Fuwa mascots of the Beijing Olympics.

Giant Panda are an underground hip hop group from Los Angeles, California.

Giant Panda is composed of childhood friends Newman and Maanumental (hailing from Seattle) and Chikaramanga (a Tokyo native), with their foundation based out of Los Angeles, CA.

The trio's name is simply an analogy to their ethnic and cultural make-up. The first single released was "88 Remix" independently in December 2002, with airplay across the globe. The follow-up to that was the acclaimed 12-inch single "With It" in September 2004 on Tres Records. "With It" received raves from print critics such as Chairman Mao from XXL. 2005 saw the release of Giant Panda's first full length, " Fly School Reunion" (Tres Records). "Fly School Reunion" received great reviews in URB (4 1/2 stars), XXL, XLR8R, HHC, NME, and a plethora of other international magazines. It was also a hit with college radio (3 on CMJ hip-hop charts).

Giant Panda made URB's list of Next 100 in 2005. This buzz allowed the group to tour the West Coast with fellow Angelino hip-hoppers People Under The Stairs and Time Machine. In 2006 GP hit the road with Ugly Duckling for a European tour, and then once again that year reached the EU shores with People Under The Stairs. 20 May 2008 saw the release of Giant Panda's sophomore effort, " Electric Laser". Overall "Electric Laser" was a forward step for Giant Panda, but not so forward to lose fans who appreciated their sound on previous works.

The group cites De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, EPMD and A Tribe Called Quest as key influences