The giant panda is unique - and not just uniquely charming: it has no close relatives in the animal world. The iconic, instantly recognisable creature has symbolised wildlife conservation since it was adopted as a mascot. Yet despite having avoided extinction, a fate to which the species came perilously close, the population today is estimated at no more than 2000. This spectacular volume brings together the expertise of leading conservationists with an extraordinary collection of photographs from both the world-renowned Wolong research centre and the wilderness of Sichuan's magnificent Qionglai mountain range, the panda's natural habitat. Discover the world of this most lovable bear in this beautiful and authoritative celebration.

Exquisite. A suitably stunning tribute to this incredible and much-misunderstood bear. -Henry Nicholls, author of The Way of the Panda. This tribute to the beauty of the beast is informed by leading conservationists, but centres on stunning shots by photographer Zhou Mengqi. Backed by advice from panda experts Zhang Zhihe, Zhang Hemin and Hu Jinchu, Mengqi tracked his elusive subjects through the mountains of Sichuan for years. - Nature Magazine. There have been countless other photographic books about them but this one takes a slightly different approach. Featuring wonderful images by Zhou Mengqi - taken at the famous Wolong research centre and in the wilds of the magnifi cent Qionglai Mountains, in the Sichuan region of China - and insightful text covering their history, behaviour and the conservation effort around them, this book feels like the complete story. You can't help but be moved by the playfulness and gentle nature of the pandas, and also by their tenacity in the face of what was almost the end of the line for them. They are remarkable and beautiful creatures, and this lovely book captures them perfectly. - Outdoor Photography Magazine.

Zhou Mengqi has spent many years tracking down pandas in the remote Sichuan wilderness, becoming the leading photographer of this most popular of animals.