Art by Tian Tian

Native to central China, giant pandas have come to symbolize vulnerable species. As few as 1,864 giant pandas live in their native habitat, while another 600 pandas live in zoos and breeding centers around the world. The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is a leader in giant panda conservation. 

Tian Tian (t-YEN t-YEN), the adult male, was born Aug. 27, 1997, at the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province. His name means "more and more."