The reported RM20 million upkeep of the two pandas on loan from China would be better utilised in the conservation of Malaysia's own local endangered wildlife species, said several animal conservation groups.

The move will not contribute to the conservation of the species, and the funds would be better used in conserving local wildlife species, said World Wildlife Fund-Malaysia CEO Dionysius Sharma in a press statement yesterday.

Unless the revenue generated from the panda loan is channelled back into their conservation , the deal would not benefit the species, said Sharma, casting doubt on the believe that the cost of maintaining the pandas could be recouped through admission fees.

"Unless the panda loan arrangement contributes positively towards the conservation of wild pandas or other endangered species living in the panda's habitat, WWF views the deal with China as a waste of public funds, and a futile effort in terms of wildlife conservation," he said.

He also singled out Malayan tigers, marine turtles, orangutans and Sumatran rhinoceroses as species in urgent need of conservation funds.

Concurring with him was Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) president Maketab Mohamed, who stressed that there was a more urgent need to support local endangered species such as the near-extinct Sumatran rhinoceros and the Malayan tiger.

"This move also does not help Malaysia meet the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi Targets.

NONE "MNS is of the opinion that this would be better spent in advancing important programmes such as the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan (NTCAP)," he said, noting that Malaysia had fallen behind its target for the NTCAP.

The Aichi Biodiversity targets include combatting loss of biodiversity and safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity.

The funds would go a long way to dealing with illegal poaching of wildlife, in addition to awareness activities and other conservation programmes, he said in a statement on the MNS website yesterday.

Unless the funds for the loan come from private or corporate donors, the MNS calls on the government to rethink the plan, he added.

Environmental NGO Sahabat Alam Malaysia had made a similar call earlier yesterday, arguing that the move was more oriented by tourism and that the money could be better spent on the welfare of Malaysia's existing zoo animals.

The ‘ panda diplomacy ' deal was announced on Monday and an agreement is due to be inked today, which the Environment Ministry said shows Malaysia's commitment to boosting panda numbers.

English daily The Star had quoted the Chinese media as saying in April that the pandas' upkeep would cost RM20 million, and a competition would be held to name the rare animals.