Given humans are having increasing difficulty in getting along globally, for this month’s Monday Morning Mojo I have decided to share inspiring stories that relate to animals.

Panda Diplomacy

The first is something I saw on the Today show last week related to Pandas. Two pandas named, Bao Li and Qing Bao, are part of a 10-year conservation research partnership at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, DC. The Today Show report showed the delight and promise of reproduction among the two young pandas gifted to the United States in 2024 as part of a diplomatic move. Such diplomacy is wonderful to see and scarily missing recently.

The plight of panda’s existence has been in my consciousness for decades. Once considered “endangered”, today Pandas have been upgraded to being considered “vulnerable”. Their status was upgraded in 2016 due to a 17% population increase, with more than 1,800 pandas now in the wild thanks to conservation efforts and habitat protection.

Enjoy the latest on Bao Li and Qing Bao below.

Reminder of Pambassadors

This story reminded me of one of my favorite campaigns initiated by the Beijing Ogilvy PR team when I lived in China. This team represented the city of Chengdu, and they created an award-winning campaign called the “Search For Pambassadors” (Panda Ambassadors), using the Chengdu Panda Reserve as a hook to promote travel and tourism to Chengdu. The campaign was creative and memorable and even attracted US morning show coverage by Good Morning America during a frothy moment in US-China relations. This is the kind of work in public relations that truly inspires me and combined my love for the PR profession along with a wonderful, iconic animal.

Botswana Lions Growth

Pandas are not the only species turning the corner. Lions are also enjoying a moment in Botswana. Earlier in the month, I clipped this story about the lion population in Botswana. A combination of high-tech warning systems and traditional cattle-herding practices has led to a revival of Botswana’s lion population.

Still Much Work To Be Done

We are far from being out of the woods regarding endangered species, with thousands making the list. Among them, some animals have reached critical lows, such as the Vaquita, a small porpoise, the Great Hammerhead Shark, Cheetahs and Snowy Owls, according to the World Wildlife Fund. However, there is a glimmer of hope with new Vaquita calves spotted in the Gulf of Mexico.

Punch The Monkey

In terms of animal inspiration, we can’t forget the delight “Punch The Monkey” has brought to many. I watch my wife with amusement daily as she follows the very latest on Punch’s development in Japan. Just search for Punch the Monkey and I promise you a smile will cross your face.

Man’s Best Friend

Lisa also brought the following story to my attention. She said she was inspired by the public support in New Zealand, where people came together to save a hiker’s dog that was left behind when the hiker was rescued.

And closer to home, in LA, a stolen French bulldog was returned to its rightful owner four years after it went missing. The owner did not give up and was finally reunited with the help of many strangers.

Both stories touched our household, given our family’s attachment to our two dogs, pictured below. These two dogs, Levi and Teddy, bring great joy to our family, and while I did not grow up with a dog, I cannot stress enough what an oversized role they play in our lives.

The Story of Nini

On another personal note, my sister and brother-in-law experienced the passing of their 22-year-old cat this week, Nini. Nini lived a long, long life, coming to my relatives as a rescue which, at first, my brother-in-law did not appreciate, until Nini began to follow him around, care for him, wake him every morning, protect him, and even pray with him. Over the 22 years, this cat became attached to Xiao Zheng, and he is most despondent given Nini’s death.

Today’s Monday Morning Mojo is a bit of a departure from my regular missives. I figured we should look for inspiration in other areas while we wait for this war and other conflicts to quickly come to an end.

Have a great month ahead.