WILL WE BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXTINCTION OF RED PANDAS?

Are red pandas like the black and white pandas you normally see?(Despite its name it sadly is not closely related to the giant pandas but that does not mean they aren’t different, interesting creatures). The answer is no, they are quite different, they are raccoon-like mammals with long, soft, reddish-brown fur and a black, fur belly. The black, fur belly is used for camouflaging in trees to hide from predators. They are excellent tree climbers who in fact when climbing trees go head first instead of climbing down feet first like other animals which makes them quite extraordinary and unique. However, instead of observing these amazing animals and letting them thrive in the wild we are killing their numbers.

There are less than a total of only 100,000 left as posted by Idaho Falls Zoo on Monday, March 29, 2021 and their numbers are still decreasing. They are listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List because of habitat loss by deforestation and poaching.  Red pandas are in fact not aggressive animals and are considered quite friendly, they live a solitary existence except for mating season but they are not doing anything to hurt us so why should we hurt them? What is the justifiable reason for us killing them and quickly sending them to extinction?

They are also poached for their distinctive pelts in China and Myanmar. Red panda fur caps or hats have been found for sale in Bhutan. I personally think, is it really necessary to be doing this though?

“Each new cub is extremely important to the future of the species,” the Idaho Falls Zoo writes.

Zoos are now trying to preserve them from extinction. For example, on August 12, 2021 the zoo celebrated the birth of twin baby red panda cubs as a part of endangered species recovery. But it is becoming increasingly hard to preserve these fascinating animals if we keep killing them and destroying their habitats.

However, Red Pandas are also used for other things such as on the black market as cubs to be sold to the highest bidders. Paradise Wildlife Park addresses the issue of this as they said an example of this is when 6 wild red pandas were found in the back of a lorry in Laos in January 2018- believed to be on their way to Bangkok to be sold as pets. They are not the new ‘must have item’, they are wild animals and are being presented on social media where they are getting millions of views and are being presented in unnatural conditions in people’s homes around the world without the proper resources or research to look after them But what people don’t realise is that is also why a lot are dying because they are being pulled out of their habitats like the bamboo forests to live in peoples houses where they cannot mate and eventually die and this is just aiding their path to extinction.

• IT IS ILLEGAL! Being an endangered species, it is illegal to trade them. If someone was caught with a live red panda they could be fined or even sent to prison!

Although people still do sell and buy them. On average they eat 200,000 bamboo leaves a day which people cannot supply so why keep them or want them if you cant look after them and are just torturing them?

Facts: Our planet has lost half of its wild red pandas in 20 years. And red Pandas are actually the only living member of their own taxonomic family. Which means Red pandas are the only living members of their taxonomic family, Ailuridae. The red panda was first classified and given its scientific name, Ailurus fulgens, in 1825.

Now tell me is it worth losing these amazing, interesting and unique creatures through our own selfish actions?

Rather we should educate ourselves and help them because, what have they done?