World Red Panda Day 2024. Loose red pandas They are unique animals and unfortunately also popular danger of extinction. They live freely in localized areas of Nepal, China, Myanmar, India and Bhutan. The IUCN estimate that There are fewer than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild and that the population has declined by 40% over the past fifty years.
This critical situation has led to the celebration of the third Saturday in September. International Red Panda Daywith the aim of raising awareness of the importance of caring for and protecting this species. In addition, this day will give visibility to the difficult situation it faces in nature and which leads to its extinction.
He red panda (Ailurus shines) is particularly adapted to life in trees. It has considerably long, hard and thick, semi-retractable claws, which are very useful when climbing branches. The front legs are retracted inwards, making it easier to move, but when on the ground they are the reason why the red panda has a characteristic ‘duck walk’.
It has a fairly long and very thick tail, which allows it to keep its balance while climbing trees. Thanks to its thick coat and pads under its legs, the red panda is able to do this resistant to extreme temperatures. Something very useful, since the areas where it lives are at high altitudes, where it is cold and snowy for much of the year.
Red Panda: a lonely animal
Its habitat is temperate bamboo forestswhat their staple food is. The red panda has the peculiarity that it descends from the trees upside down. The species was typical of the montane forests of the Himalayas, but today the population is highly fragmented. They are usually found in Bhutan, China, Burma, Tibet, India and Nepal.
Males and females meet only to mate. At the beginning of winter and after the ceremony they separate again. The gestation period of this mammal lasts between 4 and 5 months and the mother gives birth to litters consisting of 2 to 4 blind and defenseless bear cubs. After being fed and cared for for 3 months, the babies eventually become independent.
Why is the Red Panda in danger of extinction?
Since its diet consists mainly of bamboo, the deforestation causes great damage to the population red panda To this sad reality we must add the fact that for a long time it was hunted for its soft and warm fur. And to take it to zoos, where it is very common to see them in any city in the world. In the wild, its natural predator is the snow leopard.
It is estimated that less than 2,500 people live in freedom. In the IUCN Red List They are classified as endangered. So there are protection programs and several plans to breed them in captivity.
The problem is that while these types of programs have had some success, it is impossible to return them to nature if there are no places where they can survive. Unfortunately, zoos are the only place where they can reproduce with any ease. World Red Panda Day 2023.