RAJA KUPU KUPU: WWF STAMP

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND FOR NATURE (WWF)

Founded in 1961, the WWF is an independent foundation registered under Swiss law and is governed by a Board of Trustees.

With offices around the world, it carries out several missions such as local conservation work, field projects, scientific research and advising local and national governments on environmental policies. It also promotes environmental education and raises awareness on environmental issues.

Groth AG and WWF concluded an agreement back in 1983 and since then the Swiss stamp agency negotiates with postal administrations to produce stamps with the WWF logo.
With over one billion stamps printed, the sale of stamps from WWF has raised well over 20 million Swiss francs in royalties since 1983.

France issued the very first stamp with the well-known WWF Panda logo in 1969. It displayed the European Mouflon. Since then, there have been more than 400 issues comprising more than 1500 single stamps and souvenir sheets.

More than 211 UPU member countries and territories have until now issued stamps for the WWF collection.

Each year, up to 18 different countries issue stamp featuring their own threatened animals, which is a primary condition to be accepted as part of the WWF collection.

THE POPULARITY OF WWF STAMPS WITH COLLECTORS

One of the main reasons why WWF stamps are so popular among philatelists is the limitation on the number of stamp issues.

Because of this long standing relationship and the commitment of Groth AG, there are only 16 to 18 countries, per year, allowed to issue stamps with the WWF Panda logo. Furthermore, these countries are encouraged to use moderate face value to avoid speculation.

All WWF stamps must be used for actual postage and must be available from their respective postal administration.

As once quoted by Prince Philips, Duke of Edinburgh and President Emeritus of WWF International: ” The WWF Conservation Stamp Collection offers philatelists and people concerned about the state of the natural environment a wonderful opportunity to enhance their stamp collection, while at the same time contributing directly to the conservation of nature”.
Although the main goal of the WWF stamp collection is to make people more aware of endangered animals and nature, the value of some of the stamps has increased considerably over the years, making them also a good investment.

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND FOR NATURE - ANIMAL SPECIES LIST

When you look at all the stamps that have been issued with the WWF Panda logo it could seem overwhelming and discouraging to start such a collection.
However, you may choose to collect only a certain animal species which is endangered. Here is a list of the animals which have appeared on WWF stamps since the beginning:

· Mammals
· Birds
· Reptiles
· Amphibians
· Fish
· Insects
· Crabs
· Shells & Conches
· Sea-Urchins & Starfish
· Anthozoans

Furthermore you could also contemplate a collection by continent as defined in the WWF Stamp Collection:

· Africa
· Asia
· Australia and Oceania
· Europe
· Americas

Should you choose one of the above-mentioned categories STAMPS-4-YOUR-PLEASURE will gladly accommodate you and set you up with a New Issue Standing Order of your choosing.

To see some available stamps at this time visit

WWF 1983

WWF 1984

INDONESIA - 2000
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PORTUGAL - 2002

VIETNAM - 1995

VIETNAM - 2000

VIETNAM - 2005

NIUAFO'OU - TONGA - 1998

DENMARK - 1975

AFRIKA TENGAH - 1978

AFRIKA TENGAH - 1999

AFRIKA TENGAH - 1983

BOTSWANA 1995

ZAIRE - 1997

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM - 2001

ARGENTINA - 2002

AUSTRALIA - 2009

GIBRALTAR - 1996

CHINA - 1985

NICARAGUA - 1985

FIJI - 1997

INDIA - 1999

GEORGIA - 1999

UKRAINA - 1998

UKRAINA - 2007
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MONTSERRAT - 1999

BHUTAN - 2009

CHILI - 1982

EKUADOR - 1992

RUSIA - 1987

KYRGYZTAN - 2009

I have just received the following issues from Kyrgyzstan.
A set of 4 featuring the "Saker Falcon" which is yet another bird on the endangered species list.