Program aims to free pandas born in captivity into the wild

Animal experts are pressing ahead with a groundbreaking program to release captive-born giant pandas into the wild.

The initiative could help to secure the future of the endangered species, a symbol of both China and the global conservation movement.

"This program is aimed at increasing the giant panda population and improving the survival rate of this precious species," said Huang Xiangming, a researcher at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.