Meet The Red Panda
STATUS: Endangered
POPULATION: ~10,000
Red pandas are rather small creatures living in the Eastern Himalayas region. They are about the size of a domestic cat, weighing up to 6kgs. They are primarily herbivores, feeding mostly on bamboo.
The Red Panda’s scientific name (Ailurus fulgens) means fire colored cat as indeed their beautiful fur has a deep red/brown color to it. Their appearance is definitely closer to a raccoon than to a panda and they are also quite skillful, acrobatic animals. When they are not foraging on the ground they spend their time in the trees where their fur makes it easy to blend in with the reddish-brown moss that grows within.
Red Pandas are also temperature-sensitive animals, thriving in temperatures between 17-25C (66-77F) and they can’t really tolerate anything higher. They are also solitary animals with the exception of the mating season. Both male and female red pandas may mate with more than one individual during the mating season once they’ve reached their reproductive age at around 18 months.
The females’ gestation period lasts between 112-158 days and they give birth to 1-4 cubs. The females build multiple nests which they keep very clean so the mother can mover her cubs and leave them alone for prolonged periods. When the tiny ones reach around 3 months of age, they begin their venture into the world.
Eating bamboo is one of the only commonalities between the Red Panda and the more well known black & white Giant Pandas. In fact, Red Pandas were discovered 50 years earlier!
Photo by Mathias Appel via Wikimedia Commons
What’s the danger?
The population of Red Pandas is currently decreasing in the wild. Their population has been halved in the past two decades and there are less than 10,000 left on planet earth today, some even predict as low as 2,500.
The number one threat to red pandas is habitat loss. The growing population of humans, expanding agricultural real-estate needs and overall unsustainable harvest of timber and bamboo means these creatures are having a harder and harder time finding food and shelter. Losing their habitat forces the need to migrate unwillingly which has resulted in around 75% of Red Pandas living in unprotected areas.
With agriculture comes more herders containing livestock as well free-roaming herding dogs which also propose a threat to Red Pandas. In addition, climate change is a growing threat since they cannot tolerate temperatures above 25C (77F) so the continuously warming environment has pushed them to unprotected, higher elevation areas.
As with most of the animals here at Everbeing, Red Pandas are also affected by poaching. Their beautiful fur makes them a desired target. Adding to this, they sometimes get caught in traps which are meant for other animals like wild pigs and deer.
ENVIRONMENTAL RELATIONS
Red Pandas are a crucial part of the ecological integrity of the East Himalayas. They are also referred to as “umbrella species” meaning if they are protected, it will help save other species too, like Himalayan black bears and hundreds of bird species. Most importantly, they are the only living member of their taxonomic family, so we must do all we can to help save them from going extinct.
Did you know Red Pandas have to eat a lot to sustain their healthy body weight and females eat about an incredible 20,000 bamboo leaves per day? It’s no wonder their name “panda” originated from the Nepalese word “poonya” which means bamboo eater!
Photo by Mattis2412 via Wikimedia Commons
How can we help?
World Wildlife Fund is monitoring the red pandas and their habitat in Nepal and Bhutan. In Nepal, where approximately 38% of the total red panda population lives, WWF also work with yak herders to reduce the human impact we place on these creatures and their habitat. They educate about alternative income sources – such as attracting tourism – and anyone who is found guilty in killing, selling or buying red pandas, faces a fine and the potential of up 10 years in jail.
Red Panda Network also works closely with the local communities, agencies, and governments to ensure the survival of the Red Pandas. They have an anti-poaching network that investigates any potential poaching activity and they also removes traps from the forests. To teach people about more sustainable agriculture they also distribute seeds and greenhouses, as well as teach about bio briquette production – all of which are in favor of saving the fragile habitat of the Red Pandas.
Make a Pledge For THOSE IN NEED
When you purchase limited edition Everybeing shirts, 100% of net proceeds go directly to organizations working on conservation efforts that are helping stop the sixth and support endangered species in need. You are also contributing to the health of our environment as each of our shirts uses yarn made from eight recycled plastic bottles. Please help us support animals in need and the artists who are bringing it all to life.
