Red Panda : Brought To Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Two red pandas from Rotterdam Zoo, Netherlands are being brought to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNZP) in Darjeeling for conservation breeding purposes.
Red Panda:
- Scientific Name: Ailurus fulgens
- It is a small arboreal mammal found in the forests of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and the northern mountains of Myanmar and southern China.
- It thrives best at 2,200-4,800 m in mixed deciduous and conifer forests with dense understories of bamboo, though red panda evidences have also been found at 1800 m.
- In India, it is found in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal.
- Almost 50% of the red panda’s habitat is in the Eastern Himalayas.
- It is the state animal of Sikkim.
- It uses its long, bushy tails for balance and to cover them in winter, presumably for warmth.
- It is considered an indicator speciesfor ecological change.
- It is the size of a house cat and is famous for its cute face and adorable defense stance.
- The loss of nesting trees and bamboo is causing a decline in red panda populations across much of their range because their forest home is being cleared.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red list: Endangered
- CITES:Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park:
- It is located West Bengal.
- It hosts the country’s most successful conservative breeding programme for red pandas.
