Cub's death might fuel debate on whether giant pandas can be saved
Demise of baby bear at zoo puts spotlight on species' fragility, and on whether scarce resources are being wasted on already doomed animal
For many, the death of the US National Zoo's newborn panda is a heartbreaking loss. But for others, the cub's demise could add fuel to a controversial debate: Is it a waste of time and money to try to save the giant panda, a fragile species already on the brink of extinction?
The question might seem cruel, especially coming just hours after zoo employees discovered that their newest resident, a cub born to giant panda Mei Xiang, had died unexpectedly on Sunday morning. But an October 15 meeting at the internationally famed Linnean Society of London was already scheduled on the topic of panda conservation.
The event will take the form of a debate, asking the question: "Do we need pandas? Choosing which species to save."
Among the issues to be discussed by the panel will be whether the millions of dollars spent on time-consuming panda breeding programmes have been a wise use of scarce conservation dollars: "Do our conservation efforts focus on large, charismatic species at the expense of many others which may be easier to save?"
There is no debating the appeal of pandas.
Their distinct black-and-white markings, the manner in which they sit upright (like humans), the contented way in which they chomp on leafy bamboo - such characteristics make them beloved the world over. For their part, zoos scramble for the right to display a panda, because a giant panda is practically guaranteed to draw visitors.