200 "Paper Black Bears" Join the Paper Panda Army – Set to Appear at the Flower Expo Park in March

▲ The “Paper Panda Exhibition,” which toured over 30 countries in Europe in 2012, is now making its way to Taiwan. (Photo / from the internet)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Endangered species are not limited to pandas globally—Taiwan’s endemic “Formosan black bear” is also facing the threat of extinction. To raise public awareness about the importance of conservation, the Taipei City Government has teamed up with French artist Paulo Grangeon, the designer of the upcoming “Paper Panda Exhibition” set to debut in Taiwan this March. They aim to include 200 “paper black bears” in the exhibition to jointly promote concern for and the protection of endangered animals.

The adorable appearance of the baby panda “Yuan Zai” has warmed the hearts of many in Taiwan. However, many may not know that there are only around 1,600 pandas left in the world, and they are classified as an endangered species. French artist Paulo Grangeon created 1,600 handcrafted “paper pandas” to promote the importance of conservation. Freed from bamboo forests and natural habitats, these paper pandas roam the world in groups. Through his art, Paulo reminds the world that beyond pandas, there are many more endangered animals that deserve our attention.

▲ Paulo Grangeon, the artist behind the “Paper Panda Exhibition,” accompanied by Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin, visited Taipei Zoo on the 5th to observe the behavior and posture of the Formosan black bear “Black Sugar.” The person holding an iPad to take photos in the photo is Paulo Grangeon himself. (Photo / provided by Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism)

Faced with a fate similar to that of the panda, the “Formosan black bear,” which is also on the brink of extinction, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-pin recently approached Paulo with a request to include 200 “paper black bears” in the exhibition to remind the people of Taiwan to care not only about giant pandas but also about the conservation of native wildlife. Paulo gladly accepted the invitation and, accompanied by Mayor Hau, visited the black bear “Black Sugar” at Taipei Zoo.

While observing Black Sugar’s posture and habits, Paulo also mentioned that compared to the panda’s “clear black-and-white contrast,” the Formosan black bear, covered in black fur, looks almost entirely black, with only a “V”-shaped white patch on its chest. Capturing its likeness, especially its expression, in the form of a cute paper figurine, presented a significant challenge.

The internationally acclaimed “Paper Panda Exhibition” will make its Asian debut in March 2014 at Taipei’s Flower Expo Park. By then, not only will there be a large number of pandas “inhabiting” the park, but the usually rarely seen Formosan black bear will also make an appearance in this urban corner. It is understood that after the exhibition in Taipei concludes, all the paper figures will be sold, with all proceeds donated to conservation efforts.