Pandas & SAMBO: A Special Visit in Chengdu

While in Chengdu for The World Games 2025, where SAMBO competitions will take place on August 13-14, FIAS President Vasily Shestakov took part in a volunteer initiative supporting pandas in China.

As part of a scientific and educational project, he visited a nature reserve in Sichuan Province dedicated to protecting the endangered red panda – also known as the lesser panda or “cat-bear.”

Sichuan’s Giant Panda Park is home to over 30% of the world’s panda population, including the red panda. Although it has few natural predators, the species is classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List, with only an estimated 2,500-10,000 individuals left in the wild.

Thanks to its biodiversity and conservation efforts, Sichuan’s panda reserves are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites – a true natural treasure worth protecting.