Trust In The Giant Panda

Unique to China, the official logo of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The Giant Panda.


Given this exposure, and affection most people feel for this astonishing black-and-white "bear", it comes as some suprise to discover that there are barely any organisations dedicated solely to the care of the Giant Pandas of the world. The assumption seem to have been that as we all love the panda, then it must already be cared for by someone. There are charities for the donkey, guinea pig, hedgehog, rhino, elephant, chimp, gorilla, orang utan, whale, dolphin, and so on-but barely nothing for the panda. Sadly, a panda-centered organisation seems necessary : it's status in the wild is decidedly shaky.

At present, half of these wild padas live in unprotected forests. And while all the pandas are theoretically protected by statute,it's enforcement is all but impossible. This leaves 50% of the remaining wild giant panda population at serious risk from irresponsible logging units , agricultural encroachment and of course poachers.(panda skins can sell up to US$200,000 or RM760,000 outside China).

Even within established reserves there are problems. Most of the forests has been degraded by illegal tree felling. It now exists as islands of woodland in sea agriculture, further divided by building works and roads. Pandas are reduced to tiny populations (usually not more than 10 animals), confined to these woodland islands, with no possibility of migration. Such small groups are not viable: in-breeding and random accidents mean that, long-term, these populations are doomed. Unless a solution is found, the giant panda will become extinct in the wild.

Enforcement of the ban on logging and hunting has to be strengthened. This requires an increase in ranger numbers, along with better training. Presently, many rangers are low paid, and lack equipment and even uniforms that would help build the confidence to tackle problems.

From these discussions came the idea of a Panda Trust. It was to be the only organisation where all funds were directed specifically towards the wild panda conservation, protecting the habitat of the giant panda, and increasing their numbers in the wild. After nearly three years of negotiatoins, the Chinese authorities formally gave their consent.

The trust immediately called for equipment for the rangers at Wolong(China's largest and it's "flagship" panda reserve).

The giant panda is the best loved of all the world's animals. If we acquiese in the panda's extinction in the wild, what hope can there be for the survival of housands of other endangered, but less charismatic, animal species??