BEIJING -- The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently lowered the threat level for several rare wildlife species in China, including giant pandas, Tibetan antelopes, and snow leopards, which experts say highlights an improved ecological environment in the country.

The IUCN classifies the threat level of species into seven categories, ranging from being listed as 'Extinct', 'Extinct in the Wild', 'Critically Endangered', 'Endangered', 'Vulnerable', 'Near Threatened', and those described as being of 'Least Concern'.
According to the union's latest statistics, the threat level of the crested ibis has been downgraded from Critically Endangered to Endangered, while the threat level of the giant panda, snow leopard, wild yak and red-crowned crane was all downgraded from Endangered to Vulnerable. The status of Tibetan antelope, meanwhile, was downgraded from Endangered to Near Threatened.
The reduced threat level of these treasured species shows that China has made significant progress in terms of ecological conservation in recent years, according to experts, with a better habitat helping spur population growth in the wild.
Although China has made great strides in wildlife conservation, experts say the task remains arduous, noting that the IUCN had also raised the threat level of some other animals, showing that conservation efforts still need to be intensified.