A recently conducted study has suggested that the special conservation protection provided to the bamboo-eating giant pandas is also helping other threatened animal species of the region. The animals that are benefitted by China's conservation efforts include several birds, mammals and amphibians.

Despite these conservation efforts, a recent study carried out by a team of researchers from the Duke University has highlighted some areas that need to pay some more attention towards protection of threatened species.

Stuart L. Pimm, professor of conservation ecology at Duke said in a news release that China has spectacular protected areas with exceptional numbers of species that are found nowhere else in the entire world.

Pimm said giant pandas are among the most famous of all the species, which is also a global conservation icon. Researchers said they wanted to know if the conservation efforts for pandas are also help other threatened species.

"We found that the giant panda's geographical range overlaps with 70% of forest bird species, 70% of forest mammals, and 31% of forest amphibian species found only in mainland China", said Pimm.

To understand which areas were best to set aside, the researchers developed a collaborative database of species distribution information. Researchers created their database using already-made maps, which highlighted areas such as southwestern China, where many native species still live.

They then compared their maps to locations of successful forest habitats and existing nature preserves. This enabled them to make an even more specific prediction of which areas would need to provide more protection to a wider range of species.