The commitment, made by the Sichuan and Gansu Provincial Governments, to establish almost 1.6 million hectares of new protected areas in this southwest region of China means the pandas will become an interconnected population, helping to ensure the future health and survival of this iconic species.

To recognize and support the efforts and commitments of the provincial governments in protecting the Giant Panda more than 9000 WWF supporters from over 120 countries sent thank you messages in October 2006.

On 25 October, at the event to mark the presentation of WWF’s highest accolade, the Gift to the Earth award, to the provincial governments, WWF International’s Director General James P. Leape personally conveyed your messages to the Governor of Gansu Province and the Vice Governor of Sichuan Province together with a list of everyone who took part in the action. The Governors were greatly impressed by the support from so many Passport holders around the world. They also expressed their willingness for further cooperation with WWF to enhance the ecological and biodiversity protection in their provinces.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this action.

Your support was not only one of the highlights at the Gift to the Earth award ceremony, but also a powerful encouragement to the two provincial governments to fulfill their commitment and to take more efforts to protect the Giant Panda.

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