Chris Packham, host of BBC’s Springwatch, has caused pandemonium among conservationists with his suggestion that we “pull the plug” on the panda.
He calls it a “T-shirt animal” that consumes more than just bamboo. “Unfortunately, it’s big and cute and a symbol of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and we pour millions of pounds into panda conservation,” said Packham in an interview with the Radio Times. Money that he believes could be better spent on other endangered species.
“Here’s a species that, of its own accord, has gone down an evolutionary cul-de-sac,” said Packham, alluding to the animal’s disappearing habitat. But Packham isn’t satisfied with simply letting nature take its course and vows “I’d eat the last panda if I could have the money we’ve spent on panda conservation back on the table for me to do more sensible things with.”
“I’m not trying to play God; I’m playing God’s accountant.”
