The Lesser Known Condition of the Lesser Panda
(“Red Panda in a Tree YAWNING!” by Flickr user Neil McIntosh, via The Whipsnade Zoo)
For Halloween, my boyfriend and I dressed up together in red panda onesies, and everyone we passed on the street asked us,
“What are you, raccoons?”
The both of us were honestly surprised that not even one person knew what kind of animal we were. I didn’t realize that most people hadn’t even heard of red pandas until we told them what we were. We even have red pandas at the Philadelphia Zoo!
If you are someone who still doesn’t know what a red panda is, they’re a bit tricky to describe due to their unique appearance. The red panda (also known as the lesser panda) is small in size and weight, about the size of an average housecat, with a striped tail (like a raccoon, but red and brown). Red pandas are not really pandas, at least in the way we think about pandas when we hear the word. But red pandas, despite being discovered and named before the giant panda, are in fact not very closely related to the giant panda, but are actually more closely related to raccoons and skunks. The name panda comes from a Nepali word “ponya” meaning bamboo-eater, so the two very different pandas do share one thing in common- their diet!
Red pandas also occasionally share their natural habitats with the better known giant pandas, residing in the Eastern Himalayas as well as Southwestern China. Despite these little guys technically having the digestive system of a carnivore, they eat mostly bamboo and leaves, and will on occasion hunt small mammals and birds. Red pandas are mostly solitary animals who enjoy relaxing high up on trees, only being spotted with others of their kind during mating season.
So, why am I talking about red pandas? Well, it’s not just because they’re super cute, it’s to raise awareness about their status on the endangered animals list. About ten years ago they were declared endangered by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) with an estimated wildlife population of around 2,500. While protections have been put in place to conserve their natural population, the biggest threats they face are deforestation/loss of habitat, agriculture, as well as poachers. Climate change is, of course, also a determining factor for the red pandas, along with the many other species facing habitat loss. So while extinction is sometimes a natural process, the endangerment of the red panda is the fault of humans, and cannot be blamed on natural processes.
Along with these issues, another major reason for their declining population is the illegal exotic pet trade, a threat to many animals endangered or not. While red pandas may be very cute and small enough to fit inside of a house, they should never be kept as pets. They are not domesticated whatsoever, and many of their natural behaviors and instincts would not be suitable for living indoors. While there isn’t much known about the methods of their capture for illegal pet trade, it is certainly another factor responsible for their declining numbers.
On the bright side, there are many protections put into place to keep these precious animals safe and sound in their natural habitats, or in good living conditions at zoos or wildlife rehabilitation centers. A certificate must be issued in order for a red panda to be taken out of its habitat for zoos or wildlife centers, making it slightly harder for illegal pet traders to get their hands on them. As far as keeping their natural habitats safe, according to Earth.org, “Conservationists advocate for comprehensive climate change mitigation measures, as stabilising climate conditions is essential for the long-term survival of red pandas… corporate partnerships have emerged as a valuable resource supporting red panda conservation. Corporations and businesses are increasingly joining these efforts through fundraising, awareness campaigns, and corporate social responsibility initiatives” (Levy, 2023).
Biodiversity is something that is necessary for our ecosystem to thrive, so if cases like the red panda continue to remain unknown to most, no matter how strong the conservationist efforts may be, our planet will continue to lose species that are necessary for our planet to remain healthy. You can help support the red pandas (and for that matter, any endangered animal) by simply spreading awareness! It may not seem like much to tell just one person about it, but the more people who are informed, the better. If you feel inspired to do more to help, a good resource to donate to is the Red Panda Network’s website. It’s my hope that more people will become aware of this wonderful, unique species, and that by learning more about them we can help with the recovery of their population.
References
Is a red panda a bear? And more red panda facts. (2020, September 18). Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/red-panda-bear-and-more-red-panda-facts#:~:text=Studies%20of%20their%20evolutionary%20history,their%20ancestors%20roamed%20North%20America
Levy, A. (2023, November 16). The untold story of red pandas. Earth.Org. https://earth.org/international-red-panda-day-2023-the-untold-story-of-red-pandas/
Red pandas listed as endangered on red list. (n.d.). Home. https://redpandanetwork.org/post/red-pandas-listed-as-endangered-on-red-list
No panda pets! (n.d.). Home. https://redpandanetwork.org/post/no-panda-pets
Red panda in a tree Y A W N I N G! (n.d.). Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/27887748@N00/887663462