By Abdullahi lukman
Giant pandas have long captured the world’s imagination, becoming one of the most iconic and beloved animals on the planet.
Their widespread popularity has made them a symbol of wildlife conservation success, with millions of people flocking to zoos and conservation sites to catch a glimpse of the black and white bears.
Their irresistible cuteness, combined with their status as a “gateway animal,” has helped raise awareness and funding for conservation efforts not just for pandas, but for other endangered species as well.
However, despite the undeniable appeal of these creatures, the question of whether pandas are truly worth the enormous conservation efforts they require remains a contentious topic.
For many, pandas are an entry point into a broader appreciation for wildlife.
Frances Nguyen, a longtime panda enthusiast who runs the nonprofit conservation group “Pandas Unlimited,” describes how her fascination with pandas deepened her commitment to protecting all wildlife.
After the Smithsonian’s National Zoo lost three giant pandas in November 2023 following the expiration of their lease, Nguyen continued to visit the zoo, redirecting her attention to other animals, like sea lions and orangutans.
“Pandas are the gateway animal for a lot of people to caring for and appreciating wildlife,” Nguyen explains.
Her sentiment reflects the experiences of many who first encounter the giant panda and are then inspired to explore the conservation needs of other species.
Pandas’ powerful appeal as a charismatic megafauna plays a crucial role in driving global conservation efforts.
Charismatic animals like pandas often serve as ambassadors for broader environmental causes, drawing large crowds to zoos and nature reserves, where they then learn about other endangered species.
Brandie Smith, director of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., underscores the importance of pandas in motivating people to care about wildlife more generally.
“People will come to see a giant panda, and then they’ll fall in love with a naked mole rat,” she notes, referring to how visitors are often drawn into the world of other lesser known species after engaging with pandas.
Despite their charm, however, pandas face significant ecological challenges.
They are notoriously difficult to breed, with female pandas only being fertile for two to three days each year, a factor that complicates efforts to increase their population.
Their dependence on bamboo, a low-nutrient food source, means that pandas must eat for up to 16 hours a day to sustain themselves.
Furthermore, the limited distribution of bamboo forests in China and the ongoing destruction of their habitat have made pandas an endangered species for much of the 20th century.
Their slow reproductive rate and habitat destruction led critics, including British naturalist Chris Packham, to question whether the billions of dollars spent on panda conservation could be better used to protect other, more adaptable species.
However, despite these challenges, pandas have made remarkable strides in recent years.
Over the past few decades, extensive conservation efforts, both in China and globally, have led to a significant increase in the panda population.
In 2023, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially reclassified pandas from “endangered” to “vulnerable,” reflecting the success of conservation programs.
This achievement is the result of years of intensive breeding programs, habitat restoration, and global cooperation among wildlife agencies.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), founded in 1961, has played a key role in panda conservation, with the iconic panda serving as the organization’s logo and symbol.
While the panda’s appeal has brought attention and resources to conservation efforts, it also highlights the complexities of allocating limited resources to save endangered species.
As Stuart Pimm, a leading conservation ecologist at Duke University, points out, the panda’s popularity serves as a reminder of the emotional connection people have with charismatic animals.
“If you’ve seen a baby giant panda, you would not ask that,” Pimm responds when questioned about the costs involved in saving pandas, referencing the overwhelming emotional appeal of these animals.
For many, the panda’s cuteness and its status as a rare and unique species make it a compelling symbol for wildlife conservation worldwide.
Pandas also serve a practical role in supporting broader conservation initiatives.
As one of the most popular animals in zoos, panda exhibits drive substantial revenue, which helps fund other wildlife protection programs.
Michael Brown-Pallsgrove, curator of giant pandas at the National Zoo, explains that the funds raised from panda exhibits are funneled into the zoo’s larger conservation efforts.
These efforts often focus on other endangered species, such as the Golden Lion Tamarin, a monkey native to Brazil that was saved from near extinction through captive breeding and reintroduction programs.
The financial impact of pandas on zoos is considerable.
The National Zoo, which lost its three pandas in late 2023, saw a noticeable drop in attendance, which it attributed to the absence of its most popular residents.
Since the introduction of two new pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, the zoo has seen a significant uptick in membership, with more than 1,000 new members joining in response to the new arrivals.
This highlights the panda’s role as a major revenue driver for zoos, which in turn supports conservation efforts for a variety of species.
Beyond funding, panda conservation efforts benefit other species as well. Pandas are often described as an “umbrella species,” meaning that the protection of their habitats also protects the ecosystems that other animals and plants depend on.
The mountainous regions of China, where pandas live, are home to a wealth of biodiversity, including 70% of the country’s forest birds, mammals, and amphibians.
Protecting panda habitats helps conserve the entire ecosystem, ensuring the survival of countless other species that share the same environment.
A 2018 study found that the financial benefits of panda conservation far outweigh the costs, with returns as high as 27 times the initial investment.
“Because of the time, effort, and resources devoted to saving giant pandas, other species in the same habitats are also being saved,” Brown-Pallsgrove explains.
The holistic approach to panda conservation means that protecting the panda’s habitat is not just about saving one species but safeguarding an entire ecosystem.
The question of whether pandas are “worth” the massive investments in their conservation will continue to spark debate.
For many, the answer is clear: pandas are an essential part of the global conservation movement.
Their status as a symbol of hope for endangered species and their ability to fund broader wildlife protection efforts make them invaluable, not just for what they represent but for the tangible benefits they bring to the world’s biodiversity.
Ultimately, the panda’s place in conservation may be as much about the hope it inspires as about the practical results of saving this beloved species.
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African manatee: Protecting Nigeria’s ‘gentle giants’
By Abdullahi Lukman
The African manatee, often referred to as the ‘gentle giant’ of Nigeria’s rivers, is facing a precarious future, primarily due to a combination of misconceptions, cultural myths, and significant environmental threats.
These large, aquatic mammals play an essential role in maintaining the health of the ecosystems they inhabit, yet they remain one of the most misunderstood and persecuted species in the country.
Misguided beliefs and fears have turned them into victims, with the continued pressure from illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and climate change pushing them toward the brink of extinction.
The cultural myths surrounding manatees are deeply rooted in the oral traditions of various riverine communities across Nigeria.
Many local people view these creatures through the lens of fear, associating them with danger or bad omens.
As a result, these myths often lead to the wrongful persecution of manatees, contributing to a steady decline in their population.
In some regions, they are hunted for their meat or captured in harmful traps, sometimes in the mistaken belief that they pose a threat to fisheries or crops.
The reality, however, is that manatees are peaceful herbivores and integral to maintaining the health of the rivers and wetlands they call home.
These misconceptions are compounded by the lack of a strong regulatory framework to protect the species.
While there are laws in place that prohibit the hunting of manatees, enforcement is weak, and illegal hunting persists.
Manatees are often trapped using barrier traps, harpoons, and nets designed for fishing, and their carcasses are illegally sold on the black market.
Furthermore, the construction of dams and infrastructure development in river basins has fragmented their habitats, leaving these animals more vulnerable to drowning, entanglement, and loss of food sources.
The impact of these threats is felt not only by the manatee population but also by the broader ecosystem, which depends on these creatures for maintaining healthy aquatic plant life and water quality.
In response to this crisis, organizations like BPC Nigeria have been working tirelessly to address the root causes of manatee decline.
Since 2009, under the leadership of Dr. Edem Eniang, BPC has been conducting extensive research and conservation programs in southern Nigeria. Focusing on ten major rivers including Abakpa, Eniong Creek, Calabar, Cross, Ikpa, Ikpan, Imo, Niger, Qua Iboe, and Kwa.
BPC has made significant strides in monitoring manatee populations, collecting data, and working directly with local communities to raise awareness and change attitudes toward the species.
One of the key strategies employed by BPC is fostering collaboration with local hunters, fishermen, and riverine communities.
By engaging with these stakeholders through interviews, workshops, and information sharing, BPC has been able to challenge many of the myths that fuel manatee persecution.
The organization’s goal is not only to protect the manatee but also to promote a shift in how these communities view the animal moving from fear to appreciation.
Additionally, BPC has been conducting clandestine investigations into illegal hunting and trade networks, working with law enforcement agencies to track and dismantle poaching operations.
In parallel, BPC is also advocating for the establishment of Marine and Estuarine Protected Areas (MEPAs) that would provide safe havens for manatees.
These protected areas would help mitigate the impacts of habitat destruction and reduce human-animal conflict.
Such initiatives have been shown to be effective in other regions of the world where manatees and other aquatic species are under threat.
With the support of the Nigerian government and local stakeholders, BPC hopes to see such protected areas put in place along key manatee habitats in southern Nigeria.
Another important facet of BPC’s work is promoting alternative livelihoods for communities that depend on manatee hunting for their income.
Through programs that teach sustainable fishing techniques and eco-tourism, BPC aims to reduce the economic reliance on hunting and help foster a more sustainable relationship between local communities and their environment.
By creating viable economic alternatives, these programs offer a more harmonious way for humans and manatees to coexist.
The scientific community has also weighed in on the importance of conserving the African manatee.
Dr. Lucy Keith-Diagne of the African Aquatic Conservation Fund stresses the ecological significance of manatees, noting that these animals are critical for the overall health of aquatic environments.
“Manatees help maintain the integrity of wetlands and river ecosystems by consuming large quantities of aquatic vegetation,” she explains.
“Their feeding habits prevent the overgrowth of certain plant species, which can otherwise suffocate aquatic habitats and reduce biodiversity,” she added.
The African manatee’s status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as a “Vulnerable” species highlights the urgency of conservation efforts.
With populations declining across their range, the African manatee faces mounting threats, from poaching and habitat loss to pollution and climate change.
The IUCN emphasizes the need for urgent protective measures to halt the decline of this species, which, if left unchecked, could lead to their extinction.
It is clear that the survival of the African manatee in Nigeria depends on a multifaceted approach.
Stronger law enforcement is crucial to curbing illegal hunting and manatee trade, and BPC’s efforts to engage with government officials, local communities, and NGOs are pivotal to creating a supportive legal and social environment for conservation.
Additionally, the establishment of protected areas and the implementation of sustainable fishing practices will provide the long-term solutions needed to safeguard manatees and their habitats.
But the responsibility does not lie solely with conservation organizations or government bodies.
The broader public must also recognize the importance of protecting the African manatee, not only as a species but also as a vital part of the ecosystems that sustain us.
Through education, advocacy, and supporting sustainable initiatives, every individual has a role to play in securing the future of this iconic creature.
The African manatee’s fate is not sealed it is still within our power to ensure their survival.
It will require collaboration, dedication, and a shift in perception, but with continued efforts, we can create a future where these gentle giants roam Nigeria’s rivers in peace, free from the threats of poaching and habitat destruction.
In this pivotal moment, it’s not just the scientists, conservationists, or governments that will determine the fate of the African manatee. It is all of us.
Through collective action and a shared commitment to preserving our natural heritage, we can make a lasting impact on the survival of this vulnerable species and the ecosystems they help sustain.
