Red Panda
The Red Panda - Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat") - is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialised as a bamboo feeder. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40-60 cm long, 3-6 kg weight). It is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, India, Laos, Nepal, and Myanmar. It is the state animal in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is also the mascot of the Darjeeling international festivals.
Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation. Red Pandas are classified as endangered. No reliable numbers exist for the total population but it is very threatened due to the fragmentation of its natural habitats, their small numbers, and their food specialisation needs. In south-west China the Red Panda is hunted for its fur and especially for its highly-valued bushy tail from which hats are produced. In the areas of China where the Red Panda lives, their fur is often used for local cultural ceremonies and in weddings the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. The 'good-luck charm' hats are used by Chinese newlyweds. This, and the continuous clearing of the forests, has significantly reduced the population.
It is now protected in all countries in which it lives, and the hunting of Red Pandas is illegal everywhere. Nevertheless, poaching continues and they are often illegally hunted and sold to zoos for dumping prices. The IUCN has mandated that small Pandas are a “threatened species“ since 1996, however it is now listed as endangered.
A 40% decrease in Red Panda populations has been reported in China over the last 50 years, and those in the western/Himalayan areas are considered to be in worse shape. Red Pandas have a naturally low birth rate (usually single or twin births per year) and a high death rate in the wild. - From Wikipedia.
This example was seen at the National Zoo in Washington DC.
Red Panda
The Red Panda - Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat") - is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialised as a bamboo feeder. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40-60 cm long, 3-6 kg weight). It is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, India, Laos, Nepal, and Myanmar. It is the state animal in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is also the mascot of the Darjeeling international festivals.
Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation. Red Pandas are classified as endangered. No reliable numbers exist for the total population but it is very threatened due to the fragmentation of its natural habitats, their small numbers, and their food specialisation needs. In south-west China the Red Panda is hunted for its fur and especially for its highly-valued bushy tail from which hats are produced. In the areas of China where the Red Panda lives, their fur is often used for local cultural ceremonies and in weddings the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. The 'good-luck charm' hats are used by Chinese newlyweds. This, and the continuous clearing of the forests, has significantly reduced the population.
It is now protected in all countries in which it lives, and the hunting of Red Pandas is illegal everywhere. Nevertheless, poaching continues and they are often illegally hunted and sold to zoos for dumping prices. The IUCN has mandated that small Pandas are a “threatened species“ since 1996, however it is now listed as endangered.
A 40% decrease in Red Panda populations has been reported in China over the last 50 years, and those in the western/Himalayan areas are considered to be in worse shape. Red Pandas have a naturally low birth rate (usually single or twin births per year) and a high death rate in the wild. - From Wikipedia.
This example was seen at the National Zoo in Washington DC.