Let’s unite to raise $100,000 for the World Wildlife Fund!
It’s official! Pandas are now in Minecraft on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows 10 Edition, VR, iOS, and Android! This fantastic news has us bursting with excitement and ready to celebrate! However, the best way to commemorate this moment is by collectively supporting the non-profit organization “World Wildlife Fund” (WWF), also known as “World Wide Fund for Nature” outside of the U.S. It was established to protect these adorable creatures – pandas. So let’s make it happen together!
WWF is renowned for its dedicated efforts to conserve pandas globally. Their work involves continuous monitoring of these animals and studying their habitats (Can you imagine the highlights from a video?!). The organization creates extensive bamboo corridors that allow pandas to roam safely while feeding and mating. In addition to caring for the animals, WWF collaborates with various communities contributing to panda conservation. Here, you can learn more about the activities of the World Wildlife Fund.
The information we’ve shared is just a glimpse of the incredible work done by WWF, and we want to be part of it too. We are launching a new campaign in Minecraft Pocket Edition. The goal is simple: once our players place 10 million bamboo blocks in the game, we will donate $100,000 to WWF to support this vital mission!
We are confident that we won’t have to wait long, and no one will be asking, “When will this happen?” because last summer, we promised to donate $100,000 to “Conservation” if you placed 10 million coral blocks, and you accomplished that task in just a few days! Let’s see if we can do it even faster this time. We eagerly await the results; as soon as you achieve this, we will immediately share the news on our Twitter.
Before you rush off to start building with bamboo blocks in Minecraft Bedrock, you might want to know more. Alright, let’s dive into some exciting additions! Starting today, you can find and purchase the “Paws and Claws” cosplay pack. With this, you can transform into a sneezing panda or a Siamese cat. You’ll have access to 17 skins of cats and pandas, so make your character unique and special! Plus, 62.5% of sales will go to WWF to help protect pandas, their habitats, and other endangered species. Fantastic!
Curious about pandas, we reached out to Colby Luks, Senior Director of WWF’s Wildlife Conservation Program, to learn more about giant pandas (Wait? Giant? Are there mini pandas too?
Could you tell us more about your work in helping to protect panda habitats? “We put a lot of effort into conserving and protecting pandas in their natural habitat. One way to accomplish this is by collaborating with the Chinese government and local companies involved in tree and bamboo planting, similar to what Minecraft players do. These amazing creatures consume a significant amount of bamboo (their primary food source), so we need to grow plenty of this plant, which thrives best in the shade of other trees. By planting them together, we expand the pandas’ habitat and help them find food more easily. WWF also works with local businesses to help develop small enterprises like beekeeping and homestays with local families. This way, more people benefit from living near pandas and visiting them, along with other equally remarkable wildlife in the forests.”
Why is it crucial to protect animal habitats? “The panda’s habitat is essential for both humans and wildlife. Pandas live in mountainous areas known as ‘water towers.’ These locations collect rainwater, which is filtered and becomes streams. These water towers provide clean water for millions of people and farms that require water for growing crops. If all these forests were cut down, everyone would notice the changes (imagine the potential flooding)!”
This terrible news would have irreversible consequences not only for humans and giant pandas but also for other animal species that rely on this region as their main habitat. Numerous salamanders and pheasants inhabit these areas. Not to mention the fate of endangered species such as the golden monkey and red panda.
This red panda is officially our second favorite panda! What else can people do to help? “If we consider people as consumers and buyers, the simplest thing they can do to protect wild animals living in forests is to purchase products labeled with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). If your paper towels, cups, and other wooden and paper products carry the FSC label, it means they were made from forests that are monitored and sustainably managed. FSC cares about the state of our nature and animals like pandas.
On the website worldwildife.org, you can find information about other amazing animals living in the wild. While you’re there, you can support WWF’s efforts to protect species and habitats worldwide by adopting a symbolic panda. We appreciate Minecraft‘s support and hope to engage players in our environmental conservation work.”
Thank you, Colby!
Important Legal Information
For every purchase of the “Paws and Claws” pack from December 11, 2018, to December 11, 2021, Microsoft will donate all net proceeds (or 62.5%) from the sale of the “Paws and Claws” pack to the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St., NW, Washington, DC 20037 (www.worldwildlife.org). WWF stands for World Wildlife Fund. Void where prohibited by law. No part of the purchase or donation is tax-deductible.
Minecraft will contribute $100,000.00 to the World Wildlife Fund to support their incredible work in protecting pandas, their habitats, and other vulnerable species when players place 10 million bamboo blocks in the game starting December 11. (Bamboo is counted only in versions of Minecraft without “Edition” in the title.) The mission of the World Wildlife Fund is to safeguard the future of nature. More detailed information about WWF is available at www.worldwildlife.org.
What are you waiting for? Go ahead and start building with bamboo blocks in Minecraft!
