Red Panda

Red Panda Latest News

Recently, under a conservation programme at the Himalayan Zoological Park near Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok red panda cubs were born after a 7 years gap.

About Red Panda

• It is also known as the lesser panda which is primarily a herbivorous, shy, solitary and arboreal animal.
• It uses its long, bushy tails for balance and to cover them in winter, presumably for warmth. 
• It is considered an indicator species for ecological change. 
• Appearance: It is the size of a house cat, the red panda is famous for its cute face and adorable defense stance.
• Distribution: It is mainly found in the mountainous forests of Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN Red list: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
• Threats: The loss of nesting trees and bamboo in the Eastern Himalayas which is causing a decline in red panda populations across much of their range.

What are Indicator Species?

• Indicator species are a species, or group of species, that reflect the biotic or abiotic state of an environment.
• They reveal the possible evidence and impact of environmental change, and indicate the diversity of other species, taxa, or entire communities within an area. 
• Indicator species can provide an early warning of environmental changes.
• They can be used to assess the health of an environment or ecosystem – they are often termed ‘bioindicators’.
• They can be a useful management tool.

Source: TH

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