One major aim is to permanently keep the panda population stable enough to avoid a relapse to the former status "endangered", which was downgraded to "vulnerable" (in 2016) by the IUCN Red List. Especially small, isolated populations run the risk of inbreeding and smaller genetic variety makes the individuals more vulnerable to various defects and or genetic Mutation. Allowing a larger group of individuals to roam through a larger area freely and chose from a greater variety of mates, helps to enrich genetic diversity of their offsprings.