Pandas arrive to offer a conservation message that's black and white
Panda invasion may be cute, but their creator stresses their serious side
Papier-mâché pandas were already winning the hearts of Hongkongers as they checked in at the airport yesterday. But their creator says he hopes fans focus on conservation, not cuteness.
About 400 of the 1,600 panda sculptures - one for every panda left in the wild - appeared in the arrivals hall at Chek Lap Kok to start a "tour" of the city - and excited passengers were quick to snap pictures with them. But French sculptor Paulo Grangeon would rather the fans thought about how to save real pandas, and support the work of the tour's organiser, conservation charity WWF.
Watch: 1600 paper pandas begin their tour in Hong Kong
"I don't want to make this event only about taking photos," Grangeon said. "I hope 10 per cent think [about conservation], and 5 per cent become new [WWF] members."
Made from recycled paper, rice and environment-friendly paint, Grangeon's has already won hearts and minds in Taiwan and Europe. The pandas come in six designs and sizes.
