In-Dangered
Many places across the world have cute and cuddly creatures that call their country home. By far, my favorite would be Southern Asia, the home of the Red Panda or Ailurus fulgens, the "shining cat". Red pandas are small mammals that look more like a raccoon then they do their cousin the Giant Panda. Their natural habit is to be secretive, solitary and gentle creatures. Preferring to spend most of their days curled up sleeping with their tails over their heads, these creatures are not commonly found in groups unless you are lucky to come across a mother are her 1-4 cubs.The Red Panda can live an average life span of 12-14 years weighing up to 6kg. Their body length is normally 50-63cm in length when an adult. They are normally found in forested mountain slopes of southern Asia, hiding in their tree homes. They have thick russet colored fur that covers their entire body, making a soft cushion for when lounging in the tree tops. The stomach and limbs are usually black and they sport white markings on the side of their heads and above their tiny eyes giving them that "I'm watching you" appearance. They sport busy tails with light brown rings down the length, as well as pointed ears and a pointed snout. Red Pandas are solitary creatures that are slow on the ground but remarkably agile when in the trees. They lead solitary lives, preferring to be left alone, unless of course there is a mother with her cubs. A natural eater the Red Pandas diet consists of bamboo, berries, fruit, mushrooms, roots, acorns and lichen. They are also known to supplement their diet with young birds, fish, eggs, small rodents and insects, making them omnivores. However, due to its low calorie diet Red Pandas are known for mostly sleeping and eating their days away.
Having fewer than 2,500 mature individuals in the world The International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) classify red pandas as Endangered. They are also on the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species(CITES) Appendix I. They are also protected in Nepal and China. Habitat loss due to population growth and developement is thought to be the major reason for their decline in the wild to this day.
A group called Red Panda Network have gone about educating local communities of Nepal in the care of wild red pandas and of their habitat in hopes to ensure the survival of the species. Being run by volunteers this group sends 95% of all donations to their team in Nepal, Maintaining a constant community-based organization of education and support. The people in Nepal are taught new ways to make profit while still maintaining the red pandas habitat and not over grazing the lands or converting forest into farmland. In 2007, Red Panda Network created Project Punde Kundo, the world's first community-based monitoring program of the red panda population. This project is for monitoring red panda habitat in order to understand the threats in the forest to the red panda. By doing so, the people, who are called Forest Guardians, are able to alert local forest users and avert any harm or destruction being done to the panda population and its forest habitat.
The red Panda is a soft, cuddly looking creature. It has many views placed upon it from religious to the biological role in the natural wonders around it. They are in need of more world wide knowledge as well as protection from those who would destroy their lives and homes. You can help to, by learning more about these wonderful little creatures or by donating to organizations like Red Panda Network, you can help save these fantastic beings from an extinction that is our creation. C. Latimer