International Red Panda Day
The first official description of the Red Panda was given in 1825. Two subspecies are currently recognized, the Himalayan and the Chinese Red Panda, which genetically split approximately 250,000 years ago. While there has been much debate about its evolutionary positioning, recent genetic evidence links it closely to raccoons, weasels, and skunks. Despite sharing an adaptation for grasping bamboo – the "false thumb" – with the Giant Panda, the two species are not closely related, as the latter is a bear. Fossil evidence suggests that the lineage of the Red Panda family (Ailuridae) extends back between 25 and 18 million years, with extinct relatives discovered in Eurasia and North America.
The Red Panda prefers to dwell in coniferous, temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, particularly on steep slopes densely covered in bamboo and near water. It is a solitary, primarily tree-dwelling species. Its diet consists mainly of bamboo shoots and leaves, supplemented with fruits and blossoms. Mating occurs in early spring, with females giving birth to up to four cubs in the summer. The Red Panda is under threat from poaching and habitat loss due to deforestation, resulting in it being classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2015. It is, however, a protected species in all its native countries.
Conservation efforts led by local communities have been kickstarted in Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern India. In China, the Red Panda benefits from various nature conservation projects. Zoos worldwide have also started regional captive breeding programs for this species. The Red Panda has become a cultural icon, featuring in animated films, video games, comic books, and serving as inspiration for company names and music bands.
