Red pandas are highly endangered due to a number of threats, including habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Habitat destruction is a major issue as their native forests are being cut down for agriculture and urban development. This reduces their food sources and disrupts their natural habitat. Poaching for their unique fur and illegal pet trading are also putting pressure on their already dwindling populations. Additionally, climate change is altering their natural habitat, causing changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, which can threaten their survival. With an estimated population of fewer than 10,000 individuals, the red panda's future is uncertain unless immediate action is taken to address these threats.
Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) are small, arboreal mammals native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. They belong to the family Ailuridae, which is part of the order Carnivora. Red pandas have undergone key evolutionary changes throughout their history, leading to their unique characteristics and classification within the animal kingdom.