China's giant pandas have long been threatened with extinction, suffering from low birth rates and human encroachment on their habitat. Now they are facing a new threat - starvation. China's state-run media says their favourite food, arrow bamboo, is beginning to die off. It is part of a cycle that happens every 60 years and the new crop will take around 10 years to mature. Last time the bamboo bloomed was in the 1980s and then around 250 giant pandas died of starvation.

Now at least one nature reserve is trying to move those animals at risk into new habitats or find them new sources of food. In another blow for the giant panda, it is being reported that the endangered Tibetan antelope is being tipped as China's Olympic mascot, ahead of the panda. One official was even quoted as lobbying for the antelope because it is more sporty than the other contenders. But panda supporters are holding out hope that Beijing's Olympic emblem could be composed of more than one animal.

Vocabulary:

threatened with extinction: in danger of dying out completely

human encroachment on their habitat: people moving into areas that are the natural environment for the the panda

starvation: dying because of lack of food

a cycle: a natural process that repeats regularly

at risk: in danger

blow: piece of bad news

is being tipped as: is likely to be

mascot: an animal that represents a country

lobbying for: campaigning for, trying to convince the authorities about something

emblem: a picture or logo that represents a country

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