BBC nature presenter Chris Packham has caused a huge furore by saying that people should stop donating money and let panda’s die out.

He told the Radio Times: “Pandas are my frequent whipping boy.

“Here is a species that of its own accord has gone down an evolutionary cul-de-sac.

“Unfortunately, it’s big and cute and a symbol of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and we pour millions of pounds into panda conservation. I reckon we should pull the plug. Let them go with a degree of dignity.”

But Dr Mark Wright, WWF conservation science adviser, told The Sun: “It’s a daft thing to say and an irresponsible one.

“Pandas face extinction because of poaching and humans moving into their habitat. If left alone, then they would function perfectly well.”

Dr Wright added: “Pandas have adapted to where they live in the mountains where there is plenty of the bamboo they want to eat.

“Its like saying the blue whale is in an evolutional cul-de-sac because it lives in the ocean.”