Wolong

Wolong (Chinese: 卧龙, pinyin: Wolóng) is a place name in Sichuan Province, most widely associated with the Wolong National Nature Reserve, a protected area in Wenchuan County near the town of Wolong. The name translates to "crouching dragon." The reserve was established in 1963 to protect the habitat of the giant panda and other species, and it features rugged mountainous terrain with subtropical forest, rivers, and bamboo stands that support panda populations and other wildlife.

Wolong is part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2006 that encompasses multiple reserves across Sichuan aimed at preserving panda populations and their ecosystems.

Conservation and research have long been central to Wolong. The reserve hosts field studies, panda breeding facilities, and release programs, contributing to knowledge about panda biology, behavior, and habitat needs. The 2008 Sichuan earthquake caused substantial damage to the reserve, leading to the temporary relocation of many pandas to facilities including the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the Bifengxia Reserve in Ya'an. Recovery efforts and reconstruction have continued since then, with ongoing emphasis on habitat protection and animal welfare.

Today, Wolong remains a prominent site in China’s panda conservation network, balancing scientific research with protected-habitat management and regulated tourism, while continuing to play a role in regional biodiversity protection.