Flagship species is whereby a species is selected to act as an ambassador for a particular reason. Such as habitat, campaign, environmental reasons, among others. It act as a representation of the reason behind its selection.
It is also refer to choosing of species to raise support for biodiversity conservation.
Most of the species selected for flagship are normally the popular one, found in huge numbers and believed to have positive effects.
Examples of flagship species used before
- Black rhino
- Bengal tiger
- Panda
- Asian elephant
Benefits of flagship species on conservation efforts
Once a species as been selected as a flagship species, it attracts attention which leads to its conservation efforts. Some of the benefits include:
1. Habitat improvement hence improving status for the other species sharing the habitat.
2. Promotes conservation education and awareness of that particular species. The species is able to trigger and motivate the community to appreciate and embrace its importance.
3. It helps market support for conservation effects.
4. It helps to promote raising of funds needed to support the species.
5. Promote survival of endangered species.
6. Promotes effective policies that protects the species.
7. Brings together different people and organization sharing a common interest in the species.
Flagship species success stories
Flagship species have had successful stories which comprises:
Polar bears
They have been used to sensitize on the impact of climate change as a result of global warming. They help the public understand the magnitude of climate change on their survival.
The public was able to sympathize with their predicaments. Hence getting motivated to fight climate change. By reducing on the negative human activities contributing to climate change.
Bald Eagles
Rachel Carson used them in her documentary on the side effects of DDT use. The DDT mostly affected the bald eagles and seriously reduced their population.
Its flagship led to ban of DDT in 1972.
Cheche Winnie 
It is always good to see that action is being taken to protect endangered species!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Promising efforts to protect our environment
LikeLiked by 1 person
In England coal miners used to take canary birds in little cages, into mines to see if the air was safe to breath. If the air was bad for humans, the birds would stop singing. The decrease of many species across the world have shown the humans the danger of their destruction of the natural world.
Excellent posts
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s very sad. Well said, humans are the major and dangerous threat to the other living organisms.
LikeLiked by 1 person