Red Pandas

Context:

• Transboundary conservation is essential to save endangered Red Pandas

About Red Pandas

• Red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a small mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.
• It is solitary and largely arboreal.
• It is the state animal of Sikkim.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
• Habitat:
  • The red panda inhabits coniferous forests as well as temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, favouring steep slopes with dense bamboo cover close to water sources.
• Threats:
  • Almost 50% of the red panda’s habitat is in the Eastern Himalayas. 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.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Red Pandas

1. It is native to the Eastern Ghats

2. It inhabits coniferous forests as well as temperate broadleaf and mixed forests

3. It is endangered as per IUCN Red List

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Answer