Page 22 - World of Animals - Issue #29

Why save the panda?

The panda debate

What do the experts have to say about whether
the panda should be a conservation priority?

WWF RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
Nicola Loweth Iain Valentine
WWF UK Regional Officer for China and India Director of Giant Panda Project and
The World Wildlife Fund is one of Strategic Innovations
the largest and most recognisable Edinburgh Zoo is the only organisation in
organisations dedicated to protecting species the United Kingdom that houses giant pandas

The many benefits of panda conservation Giant pandas are too important a species to
reach far beyond the bears themselves be allowed to become extinct
The inspiration for our logo came from Chi-Chi: a giant As a result of a partnership with the China Wildlife
panda that arrived at London Zoo in 1961 – the same Conservation Association – a large, non-profit organisation
year that WWF was created. Aware of the need for a dedicated to giant panda conservation – the Royal
recognisable symbol that would overcome all language Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is bringing skills in
barriers, WWF's founders agreed that the big, furry animal nutrition, genetics, embryology, immunology and
bear with her distinctive black and white coat would veterinary medicine, which are vital areas of research for
make a great logo. Sir Peter Scott, one of our founders, giant pandas, to the global effort to save the species. This
said at the time: "We wanted an animal that is beautiful, will ensure a genetically healthy and diverse population
endangered, and loved by many people in the world for exists ex-situ, as well as in the wild. We are also in the
its appealing qualities. We also wanted an animal that had position to aid a fellow conservation body financially, with
an impact in black and white to save money on printing this money being targeted towards the restoration of
costs.” The giant panda has now become an instantly bamboo habitat in China.
recognisable symbol, not just for WWF, but also for the People are normally very excited to see a giant panda
conservation movement as a whole. with their own eyes. In many people it brings out a real
The Upper Yangtze basin where giant pandas are childlike quality as they gaze at an animal that they’ve
found is one of the most important global biodiversity read about since they were children and perhaps even
hotspots. Although pandas remain threatened, panda owned a cuddly toy of. For many visitors this will be the
conservation is about much more than just the giant first and only time they have seen a giant panda without
panda itself. The status of the giant panda directly the medium of television. This iconic species is very easy
reflects the quality of habitat and the health of the entire to anthropomorphise – the way they eat sitting up while
ecosystem, so protecting wild pandas will also serve to using their hands and their special pseudo thumb, which
protect many other species of rare plants and wildlife. is a modified wrist bone. They also have distinctive black
Recent research found that 70 per cent of China’s eye patches that make their eyes look even bigger and as
endemic forest mammals, 70 per cent of forest birds and humans we are programmed to respond to these features
31 per cent of forest amphibians all live within the panda’s in our own young. Giant pandas act as ambassadors,
range and the nature reserves set aside to protect them. raising awareness about conservation in general; when
Protecting pandas is also important for people. The visitors come to see Tian Tian and Yang Guang they
forests where pandas live are important for controlling also learn about the plight of many other animals, the
soil erosion and reducing the severity of flooding, importance of preserving ecological diversity and how
so conserving giant panda habitat helps to protect they can help.
water provisions for millions of people residing in and
downstream of the panda’s range.
Unfortunately we cannot save every threatened species
in the world, but we hope to mitigate key threats. We are
in this for the long term and have focused work on many
iconic species such as tigers, pandas, and elephants. By
conserving key ecosystems, we also provide benefits
to all of these species that are found in those habitats,
including those less-known or less attractive species.
Iconic species can draw attention to the plight of others
and help generate support to protect biodiversity that
shares the same habitat.

“Protecting wild pandas will
also serve to protect many

other species of rare plants BELOW
A display of 1,600 panda
and wildlife that live within sculptures was installed
in 25 cities to mark
their range” WWF’s 50th anniversary

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