Having some pandas located in zoos can also help in the facilitation of education and identity formation. In early 2000, there was a set of visitor-based programs at Chengdu Zoo, with a particular focus on giant panda as an endangered species20. In my opinion, this was particularly successful as the target audience was pre-kindergarten students, who are highly receptive in learning. Hence, at that critical time of development, positive attitudes and values can be induced, allowing greater sense of familiarity with the giant panda. This can also aid in their identity formation21 with nature and the giant panda. With more interaction, these young children can develop social abilities, such as empathy and perspective-taking, hence forming a sense of self in relation to the giant panda.
However, this is not to say that zoos only help in educating young children. Zoos also serve as an informal environmental education agent21, whereby visitors can voluntarily interact with giant pandas in the zoos. Identities of older visitors can also be shaped in relation to the giant panda as well. Hence, the existence of pandas in zoos may promote identity formation, thereby allowing and persuading these people to fight for the protection of giant pandas.