With the return of pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi to China after over a decade in Malaysia, public attention has turned to whether the significant resources used to host the bears could have been better allocated toward protecting the nation’s endangered native wildlife. The two pandas arrived in 2014 under China’s “panda diplomacy” initiative and were housed in a custom-built, climate-controlled enclosure at Kuala Lumpur’s National Zoo. During their stay, they drew large crowds and became a symbol of international cooperation and conservation success, especially after producing three cubs over the span of seven years—an uncommon achievement in captivity.
However, as the pair departed on Sunday, many Malaysians expressed concern about the long-term value of the panda program. Critics argue that the millions spent on maintaining the pandas and their specialized habitat could have instead gone toward safeguarding Malaysia’s own threatened animals. Malaysia, recognized as one of 17 global megadiverse countries, is home to an estimated 170,000 species, including iconic but critically endangered animals such as the Malayan tiger, Bornean orangutan, and Malayan tapir.
Environmentalists and concerned citizens point out that while giant pandas are no longer considered endangered, many of Malaysia’s native species remain on the brink of extinction. More than 1,100 animal species in the country are currently listed as threatened. Habitat loss from deforestation, poaching, and insufficient conservation funding have all contributed to the decline in wildlife populations.
Social media users echoed this sentiment, with many suggesting that local conservation efforts deserve greater priority. “We had elephants and tigers being hit on the road because of deforestation, maybe we should do more for them,” commented Sylvia Tan, a Malaysian netizen, reflecting a growing awareness that resources could be better directed toward urgent domestic conservation needs.
The departure of the pandas has reignited a broader debate about the cost-benefit balance of hosting foreign conservation mascots versus investing in sustainable protection of native species. As climate and biodiversity challenges mount, the discussion highlights the difficult choices developing countries face in allocating limited conservation funding. With the pandas gone, the spotlight now turns to whether Malaysia will refocus its efforts and resources on the endangered wildlife that call its ancient forests and ecosystems home.
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