September 15th 2018 is a very important day… it’s International Red Panda Day!
Some of you may be wondering… what is a Red Panda?!
Typically overlooked in favour of their black-and-white cousins of the same name, the Red Panda resides in Asia, predominantly in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, as well as Burma and China. Just like the Giant Panda, they live largely on a diet of bamboo, but have a much more varied taste palate and also enjoy fruit, nuts, and even small eggs. They are shy and elusive and spend most of their time sleeping in tall trees, and are rarely sighted in the wild – possibly because they are mostly active in the night and low-light hours between dusk and dawn.
Sadly, in recent generations the Red Panda have become an increasingly endangered species. They have fallen victim to extensive loss of habitat as a result of deforestation, as well as poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, now with as few as just 2500 Red Pandas left in the wild.
International Red Panda Day
International Red Panda Day (IRPD) was first celebrated in 2010 by the Red Panda Network, with the intent of educating the public and raising awareness of these adorable, elusive little creatures, the tough times they are currently facing, and how we as a community can help them.
Funds raised by IRPD will support the Red Panda Network’s largest and most comprehensive effort to put a stop to the illegal Red Panda trade, once and for all. Click here to read more about the fantastic conservation results they have achieved so far.
Red Panda Facts!
- Red Pandas are also known as the lesser panda, the red cat-bear, and even the Firefox!
- They are solitary creatures, and live alone for most of their lives.
- They usually grow to be no bigger than a house cat, but their big bushy tails can add over 15 inches to their length – and also doubles up as a cosy blanket in chilly weather!
- They are actually more closely related to the Raccoon than they are to the Giant Panda.
- They can eat up to 200,000 bamboo leaves in one day!
How You Can Make A Difference…
Red Pandas are a big favourite here at VN Recruitment – they are fascinating, adorable little animals who need the help of humans to survive in the wild. If you would like to find out more about the Red Panda Network and the conservation work they do, click here. You can find out all sorts of interesting facts, make a donation yourself, or even adopt a Red Panda which would make a lovely gift for a friend – or a treat for yourself!