Red Panda conservation in China

Red pandas (or lesser pandas) have long, fluffy striped tails like a raccoon, and faces and diets that resemble a giant panda’s, but they clean themselves like a cat.

However, they are not raccoons, bears, or cats — they were until recently thought to be the only living species in a genus of their own (Ailuridae). However in recent years, scientists have determined that ther are actually two separate species – the Himalayan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) and the Chinese Red Panda (Ailurus styani).

Conservation:The Red Panda is a National Second-class Protected Species in China—with both hunting and trade prohibited.It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).It was upgraded to Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2015.China has about 46 reserves within red panda ranges covering 25,668 sq km, including:

• 32 reserves in Sichuan (3,000 – 3,400 individuals)
• 8 reserves in Yunnan (1,600 – 2,000 individuals)
• 6 reserves in Tibet (1,400 – 1,600 individuals)

Diet / food: Red pandas are technically carnivores, but they’ve adapted to feed mostly (95%) on bamboo. They also occasionally seek out sources of protein, such as insects and bird eggs.

Chinese name: 小熊猫 xiǎoxióngmāo /sshyaoww-sshyong-maow/ ‘small bear-cat’

Appearance: raccoon-like, with reddish-brown fur

Size: around 50 cm

Weight: around 5 kg

Life expectancy: 8–10 years

Social behaviour: Solitary during non-breeding season, and found in small groups during breeding season.

Shared from: China-Environment-News.com on Facebook, 29 January 2022. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2516109708443374/posts/4837850929602562/