Pandas are examples of charismatic animals that appeal to people’s emotional side hence able to capture the public attention. They are emblematic of what is known as the single-species conservation where the organization focuses to save only one animal. In the past, pandas assumed the role of raising conservation awareness, but not anymore now.
Not forgetting that pandas are almost impossible to breed in captivity. One could also say that maybe the pandas were already destined to extinct. Extinction is also part of life on earth. And I guess we need to get accustomed to the fact that climate change will bring about more extinctions too. And at a rate faster than us protecting the endangered species.
After all, we will not be able to save all the endangered species, so the best effort will be to save as many as possible. It is not wise to just focus all the efforts on the pandas alone. There are other areas that we should focus our conservation efforts on like the biodiversity hotspots (i.e. Amazon rainforests). We should protect the habitat so as to preserve as many lifeforms we possibly can, using hard science to make educated decisions on which species required more of our attention and …show more content…
The mountains regions form the watersheds for both the Yellow and Yangtze rivers where millions of people call it their home. These areas are the economic heart of China. Economic benefits are derived from tourism, fisheries and agriculture and hydropower etc. Therefore, by focusing on panda conservation, it is easier to established new protected areas in that region. This helps to safeguard the environment where humans and animals depend on.
On their own, the pandas are also economically and culturally valuable. By being the national symbol of China, pandas are able to generate economic benefits through ecotourism for the local communities. And the pandas are used as diplomatic gifts to strengthen ties among the countries.
There could be instances where preserving an animal might not be the best use of resources available. However, pandas and others charismatic mammals can be useful in maintaining biodiversity in the region. Smaller creatures usually do not need a big habitat. Thinking in terms of conservation, it is still better to protect animals that are further up in the food chain. Hence, while protecting a much bigger area, it also encompasses the smaller animals as