Researchers are trying to protect the real-life Paddington Bear over fears deforestation could threaten their habitats.
The beloved behatted bear with a penchant for marmalade sandwiches has been immortalised in Michael Bond’s children’s book and now his third movie – but his real-life counterpart is now under threat.
A new project to help save the Peru-native Andean bears has now been launched to help protect the species amid fears that deforestation could threaten the vulnerable beasts.
Professor Fiona Matthews, of the University of Sussex’s Sustainability Research Project, said: “This project isn’t just about helping to protect wildlife, it’s also about how we do this whilst supporting local communities so that we create a truly sustainable future.
“We’ve been looking at ways in which people can generate income without deforestation, for example through cultivating vanilla.
“Over time, we hope to be able to help many more families as this collaboration of efforts will hopefully help to positively impact the forests and native wildlife.”
The creature’s habitat has come under threat due to deforestation along the Andean Bear Corridor, a stretch of land along the Peruvian-Ecuadorian border.
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Researchers from the University of Sussex are trying to develop a better understanding of the bears as well as work with farmers in South America on forest conservation.
On the back of the release of the third Paddington movie, researchers have launched a JustGiving page to fund the next stage of the project.
Dr Joanna Smallwood, co-investigator on the project, said researchers are trying to use “rights of nature” legislation to try and protect the land and the bears which live on it.
The law lecturer added: “Our project is exploring the implications of implementing the rights of the Andean bear alongside broader rights for nature in the Andean Bear Corridor and the rights of the local communities to realise just, fair and equitable solutions for nature, bears and humans."
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