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Conservation efforts often rally behind “flagship species” like the giant panda, polar bear or bald eagle in order to save the entire habitat in which those species live.

For example, the polar bear represents the Arctic, sea turtles serve as ambassadors to the sea, the bald eagle is iconic to North America and the giant panda symbolizes conservation efforts in China.

This year’s float, “Friendship Across the Earth,” featured depictions of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, the giant panda pair from China who made their public debut at the zoo in August.

Our focus is on responses in plant-feeding populations, from tiny grasshoppers to giant pandas.

Leasing giant pandas from China has become another strategy to draw visitors.