The 7.9-magnitude earthquake that hit China on Monday is so far estimated to have claimed 10,000 victims, with that number expected to rise in the coming days. However, one group was spared the loss of any of their members; approximately 60 pandas living at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding are apparently all safe. The giant panda is on the list of the world's most endangered species and the only surviving population of the creatures live in China. The species was chosen as an icon for this summer's Olympic games in Beijing.

There have not yet been any reports about how the pandas residing in Wolong National Park fared after the disaster.

» Reuters Environment