Endangered Species: Red Panda

The red panda, also known as the lesser panda, is a small mammal that has dense reddish-brown fur with a black belly and legs, white-lined ears, a mostly white muzzle and a ringed tail. It is estimated that there are less than 10,000 and fewer than 2,500 red pandas remaining in the wild. Researchers believe that the total population of Red Pandas has declined by 40% over the past two decades.

The Red Panda can be found in the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. This species are very skillful and acrobatic, predominately living in rainy mountain forests, specifically in the trees.

Red Pandas play a vital part in our ecosystem because of numerous reasons. Their consumption of bamboo, which is a plant that is not only a problem for humans but for other animals as well. They are important to the environment because their size and diet mean they eat a lot of bamboo leaves every day. These pandas help to keep bamboo forests healthy by eating the plant’s new sprouts, which is crucial for preventing wildfires and growing healthy tree canopies. They also predate on lizards, mice, and other critters living in or near these forests so their presence helps with pest control as well.

There are a couple of factors causing the Red Panda to possibly become an extinct animal. Their primary threats include: habitat loss, degradation, human interference, and poaching. Almost 50% of Red Pandas habitat is located in the Eastern Himalayas. The loss of nesting trees and bamboo a decline in this species as well due to their forest home being cleared. 

If the Red Pandas became extinct, that would affect the survival of the predators that rely on them for their survival. Red Pandas also keep bamboos in control by feeding on them. If the Red Panda became extinct, the bamboo plants can grow out of control, affecting the growth of the other plants in the forest. 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has prioritized four major categories of action for conserving red pandas: protect against habitat loss, reduce habitat degradation, reduce deaths of red pandas (through poaching and removing man-made threats) and improve awareness.

Some organizations are using advanced high-tech methods to track poachers. By taking a DNA sample from a red panda rescued from the black market, conservationists can learn where the animals are being taken from.

There are many different ways we can help save this important animal from becoming extinct:

1. Become more knowledgeable: https://redpandanetwork.org/What-We-Do/ 
2. "Adopt" a Red Panda. Many places offer the chance to symbolically adopt one of these animals in order to contribute to the conservation efforts. 
3. Raise awareness through social media.
4. Educate yourself on environmental issues such as deforestation.
5. Volunteer: planting new trees!