Symbol and meaning of Panda for wildlife protection
By Huy Nguyen on Apr 16, 2022
The giant panda is one of the most favorite animals in the world. They have been universally recognized as a charismatic symbol of both China and nature conservation in general.
History of Panda Symbol
Global interest in this animal only took off early in the 20th century. In 1936, Ruth Harkness, a famous American fashion designer, captured and took a baby panda named Su-Lin to the United States. This instantly made the panda cub a special ‘celebrity’ and evoked sympathy for the plight of these animals. As a result, the ‘panda cult’ was established.
In the early 1960s, four panda reserves were established in China. After that, a decree is issued to prohibit the hunting of many wild species, including the giant panda.
Pandas and WWF
WWF is short for the World Wide Fund For Nature. In 1979, WWF signed a unique agreement with China to cooperate on conservation. It included a deal in helping to save the giant panda. WWF was also the first international conservation organization in the world to work in China at the Chinese government’s invitation.
In 1989, research and satellite imagery, funded by WWF, show that suitable habitat for pandas in Sichuan Province had shrunk by 50 percent since 1974.
In 1992, a management plan for the panda was launched after a decade of cooperation between WWF and the Chinese Ministry of Forestry. Upon completion of the plan, 60 percent of all panda habitat would be included within protected areas.
In 1998, WWF filed a lawsuit related to the process of loaning pandas to US zoos. It led to a strict policy for zoos importing pandas. They had to ensure some that more than half of the funds associated with each loan must be channeled into the conservation of wild pandas and their habitat.
The WWF Logo.
WWF’s founders were aware of the need for a strong, recognizable symbol that would overcome all language barriers. They agreed that the big, furry bear with its distinctive black and white coat would become a great logo.
Based on these, Sir Peter Scott, one of WWF’s founders, brought the first logo. He said at the time that: “We want an animal that is beautiful, endangered, and loved by many people in the world for its appealing qualities. We also want an animal that had an impact in black and white to save money on printing costs.”
The inspiration for the WWF logo came from Chi-Chi – a giant panda that lived at the London Zoo in 1961, the same year WWF was created. The first sketches were done by the British environmentalist and artist, Gerald Watterson.
The panda then has become a symbol not only for WWF but also for almost all conservation movements around the world.
If you love this adorable animal, you totally can purchase cute pop up cards with the Panda symbol. It will be a wonderful 3d christmas card for your family as well as an ideal learning model for kids.
Source: wwf.panda.org
