A lot of the time we are bombarded with bad news in terms of the environment. Whether it’s hearing about an oil spill, natural disasters, or the increasing state of global warming, we are constantly adding more items to the long laundry list of things to do in order to fix our planet. As this laundry list continues to grow and grow, there are only a few people and organizations that will work endlessly to knock these issues off of the list. One of these organizations, the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) proudly announced on September 4, 2016 that the Giant Panda has been removed from the endangered species list. This celebration for pandas could not have been possible without the WWF’s endless amount of dedication for the conservation of wildlife.
Sir Peter Scott, the founding chairman of the WWF, designed the original panda logo back in 1961. Since the increasing growth and popularity of the organization, the panda has become a precious symbol of wildlife conservation. Twenty years after the launch of the WWF, the fund became the first international organization to work in China. The WWF worked closely with the Chinese government by creating sixty-seven wildlife reserves that are currently protecting two thirds of the world’s panda population. These reserves were designed to connect isolated panda populations together and have dramatically helped to increase the population. The WWF have created tightly knit groups with Chinese locals where they were taught how to reduce their human impact on pandas and their habitats. The organization has worked on growing bamboo forests which not only helped to expand panda habitats, but has provided natural services to locals who live along the rivers. Over the span of many decades, the WWF’s integral approach has benefited the country of China as a whole.
There is still an incredible amount of work to be done for pandas as well as the other countless amount of species that are endangered in the wild. But without the hard work and dedication of the WWF, none of this would have been possible.
