Red Panda

In News?

• Scientists have discovered for the first time that there are two distinct species of red panda, not just one -- and the find could have important ramifications for conservation efforts.
• Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and Kunming found there are Himalayan red pandas and Chinese red pandas.

About Red panda:

• Chinese Red Panda are found in northern Myanmar, Sichuan, south-eastern Tibet and Yunnan province of China. The Himalayan red Pandas are found in India, Nepal, Bhutan and southern Tibet. On the whole, there are 10,000 red pandas in the wild.
• The Yalu Zangbu River marks the geographical boundary between the two species. The two species differ in face. The Himalayan Red Panda has more white spots in its face and Chinese red panda is redder with less white on it. The tail rings of the Chinese Red Panda is darker and paler as compared to the Himalayan Red Panda.
• Deforestation is the major threat of the red panda species. The Red Pandas are called “Living Fossils” as they are the only living member of the Ailuridae mammalian family. The IUCN Red List has categorized Red Pandas as “Endangered”.
• The Yalu Zangbu is also called Yarlung Zangpo or Yarlung Tsangpo. It is the upper stream of the Brahmaputra River. It is the longest river in Tibet.

PRELIMS QUESTION:

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Red panda:

1.They are the only living member of the Ailuridae mammalian family.

2.The IUCN Red List has categorized Red Pandas as “Endangered”.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a)1 only

b)2 only

c)Both 1 and 2

d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims question