Red Panda Life

Name: Red Panda
Taxonomy: Ailurus fulgens
Sub-species: Ailurus fulgens fulgens, and Ailurus fulgens stanyi (though recent research suggests they may actually be different species, separated 220,000 years ago)
Class: Mammal
Order: Carnivore (though considered vegetarian due to a 2% meat diet)

A Red Panda’s beautiful colouration is down to their need to camouflage into the trees. The red matches a tree moss in most locations in the forests, whilst the dark brown underside is to prevent them from being seen from below.

Whilst sleeping through the night and day, Red Pandas are most active during the dawn and dusk of each day. In this time they are nimble and quick through the trees thanks to their amazing ringed tails for balance, and their unique “fake-thumb”, where a toe on each paw has a extra bone, allowing them to grip, and climb down trees face first.

Whilst an omnivore, a Red Pandas diet is 95% vegetarian, and this is met by a single Red Panda consuming 20,000 bamboo leaves every single day! The other 5% is made up by flowers, insects and small birds.

Red Pandas have many names within local cultures, including the Firefox, Golden Cat, Shining Cat, and Lesser Panda – but there’s nothing less about these guys! Each language tends to have a name for them.

Red Pandas spend most of their lives high in the branches of forests, only coming down to their dens. The rest of the time they eat, sleep, and travel through the trees trying to find the freshest bamboo. They are also solitary animals and quite territorial, only meeting up with other Pandas during their mating season.

Red Pandas are an umbrella species. As well as being at risk themselves, there are many species that depend on them for their own survival, including Macacs, and the critically endangered Pangolin.

Red Pandas have been absorbed into pop culture in recent years, including the naming inspiration of the Mozilla Firefox browser, and popular Sanrio Character and Netflix Anime Aggretsuko!

Sadly, yes. There are currently less than 10,000 Red Pandas in the world, and possibly as few as 2,500 in the wild. Recent research suggests there are actually two branches of the Red Panda family that are genetically different, depending on them being on the Nepalese or Chinese side of the Himalayas. If proven, this could mean that there are far less of each type than previously imagined, making each branch critically endangered.

There are many threats to their safety. Snow Leopards are known to hunt for food, whilst poachers also hunt to collect the Red Panda pelts. These pelts are often made into hats for weddings, as they are rumoured to give good luck to the couple. Additionally, land is being lost to development and deforestation, meaning they are losing more and more of their natural habitat.

There are many ways that we can help the Red Panda:

There are many conservation projects run in the wild. The Red Panda Network are working in Nepal to help protect Red Pandas from poaching with their rangers, whilst also protecting and replanting forests. They also educate communities about how important this animal is, to lessen demand on poaching, and protect these beautiful animals. You can sponsor a wild Red Panda with them, whilst also becoming a regular donator with them, or buying their merchandise.

The Red Panda Network also runs the annual International Red Panda Day every year, encouraging people to collect donations, and raise awareness of the conservation issues this wonderful species faces each year. Here at Red Panda Life, we look forward to assist in this in 2020!

Conservation efforts also run in zoos, with the international breeding programme helping boost the numbers of Red Pandas globally. As long as you are happy with the welfare and performance at your zoo (not all zoos were created equal!), you can help by taking part in animal experiences, adopting animals, or donating the to zoo’s programmes. This money may not go directly to the Red Pandas there, but it will still go towards the running of the facility that is caring for them.

Don’t be afraid to plan your own fundraiser! Whether taking part in a marathon or a bake off, you can always arrange your own thing! Every little helps.

You can see Red Pandas in many wildlife parks and zoos, as the conservation programme for these animals has become more important, and these cute animals also becoming a large draw for customers. Many institutions also offer experiences where you can meet and feed Red Panda’s.

Remember that Red Pandas will sleep or relax most of the day. Visiting them in earlier in the day, or towards the end of the day will give you the best chance of seeing them in action. Additionally, check in advance for any enrichment activities or feeding during the day, as they are always happy to wake up for a meal!

In the wild, it is difficult, however the Red Panda Network run a number of eco-trips each year through the forests and tea plantations of Nepal. These once in a lifetime trips allow you to try and see the Red Panda in the most natural environment to them, whilst helping fund the Red Panda Network’s projects replanting forests and hiring rangers to protect these beautiful animals.