In 2016, animals lovers and environmentalists alike were delighted to hear that the beloved giant panda was declared no longer endangered. Lately, the news around the world has been filled with horrendous terrorist attacks or natural disasters, but people could be heard with a sigh of relief as news of a plan to further help pandas was announced.

China announced that they will be building a reserve three times the size of Yellowstone National Park for giant pandas to roam free. The reserve will be located in the provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi and Sichuan.

Pandas were first listed under the long list of endangered animals in the 1980s, but have defied their unfavorable odds and have started to regrow their populations. Climate change, habitat loss and natural disasters were just a few of the harmful impacts made on pandas that caused their endangerment. The building of the panda reserve will help the species regrow their population and will keep them in a contained, but very large area, which will be safer for the animals.

Professionals have given acclaim to the new plan for embetterment of the pandas.

“It will be a haven for biodiversity and provide protection for the whole ecological system,” Hou Rong, director of Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, told state media, according to CNN.

Statistics from CNN reported that the panda population rose 17 percent from 2004 to 2014. These numbers will continue to improve with the creation of preservation techniques like the reserve itself. We can not let these beautiful creatures return to endangerment.