WASHINGTON – For many people, pandas are an introduction to wildlife. Their adorable demeanor captivates visitors, who soon find themselves enchanted: they spend hours gazing through the glass at panda enclosures, watching videos online, and buying panda-themed merchandise like T-shirts and keychains.

This fascination often expands to include a deeper interest in other animals as well.

Frances Nguyen, a devoted panda lover and founder of the conservation group “Pandas Unlimited,” shares that her love for these cuddly creatures has enhanced her overall appreciation for wildlife. After the Smithsonian’s National Zoo lost three giant pandas in November 2023 due to a lease expiration, Nguyen continued to embrace her visits, exploring the habitats of sea lions and orangutans instead.

Such transitions are more common than many may realize. The charm of these charismatic megafauna plays a significant role—not just in entertainment, but in funding and protecting numerous threatened species worldwide, as argued by ecologists.

“Visitors come to the zoo to see a giant panda, and in the process, they might end up falling for a naked mole rat,” said Brandie Smith, the director of the National Zoo, while discussing the phenomenon on the YSL News podcast “The Excerpt.”

“Pandas serve as gateway animals, encouraging many to develop a genuine interest in and care for wildlife.”

Are Pandas Truly Worthy of Our Affection?

It may be surprising, but not everyone is infatuated with giant pandas. Figures like British naturalist Chris Packham have expressed skepticism, questioning the rationale behind prioritizing the conservation of these bears.

Pandas dedicate 10 to 16 hours each day to eating, trying to consume enough bamboo to satisfy their significant appetite. Additionally, they struggle with reproduction, as females are only fertile for two to three days annually, complicating their mating chances.

Critics argue that the vast amounts of money spent on saving pandas could be better invested in species that are more adaptable and easier to conserve.

Nevertheless, pandas have become emblematic of successful conservation efforts over the years. In the past decade, the once-endangered species has been re-categorized as “vulnerable,” thanks to a rise in their population in both China and globally.

Since its establishment in 1961, the World Wildlife Fund has featured pandas in its logo as a symbol of its conservation mission. Why the obsession?

“If you’ve ever seen a baby giant panda, you wouldn’t question it,” stated Stuart Pimm, the Doris Duke chair of conservation ecology at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.

The Financial Appeal of Pandas

Panda exhibits significantly increase zoo attendance and revenue, creating a ripple effect that benefits other animals.

“We leverage these charismatic species, like the giant panda, to fund extensive conservation programs,” said Michael Brown-Pallsgrove, curator of giant pandas at the National Zoo.

The revenue generated from gift shops and restaurants at the zoo is redirected towards efforts aimed at protecting endangered species.

Pimm, a former advisory board member, noted that the zoo successfully rescued the Golden Lion Tamarin, a monkey species native to Brazil, from near extinction by breeding and releasing them back into their habitat.

As the zoo’s primary attraction, pandas greatly contribute to its financial stability.

The zoo experienced a 20% decline in visitors last year, partly attributed to the departure of its giant pandas in late 2023. However, with the recent introduction of two new pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, who were unveiled to the public on Friday, the zoo has gained over 1,000 new memberships.

Pandas Play a Key Role in Protecting Other Species

Funds allocated to preserving panda habitats also benefit a variety of other species.

Giant pandas reside in regions such as Sichuan, Yunnan, Nan Mountains, and Hainan in China. These areas also support 70% of the country’s forest birds, 70% of its forest mammals, and 31% of forest amphibians, according to a 2015 study by Duke University.

Pandas are often referred to as an umbrella species; their conservation provides protection for various other animals and plants that inhabit the same areas. Amid all the conservation efforts focused on these beloved bears, other species sharing their environment have seen population increases.

A 2018 analysis indicated that the financial advantages derived from panda conservation in China could be 10 to 27 times greater than the associated costs.

“Thanks to the extensive time, effort, and funds devoted to saving the giant panda and its habitat, we are witnessing the preservation of other species as well,” Brown-Pallsgrove expressed.