Threatened Species, Threatened Habitat

Red Pandas

Nathan Axtens & Michael Mroz

 

Red Pandas are a small, endangered species of panda found in Central Asia. It is classified as endangered, with an estimated population of less than 2500 mature Red Pandas. Threats include hunting for fur, deforestation for agriculture and logging, severe habitat fragmentation and overgrazing. Their low birth rate (one or two offspring a year per pair) does not help the problem.

 

Hunting of Red Pandas is illegal, but many are poached illegally.

 

Criminalising the hunting of Red Pandas has conflicted with some cultural ceremonies that take place in Central Asia. Continued habitat protection could hold back agriculture and wood production.  This is not what we would call a bad result, but the reduction of production in agriculture and lumbering, as well as the fact that many red pandas are still killed for there pelts is definitely undesirable, and something must be done.

The best possible solution would undoubtedly be one that can save the red pandas by disallowing the hunting of them, but also allowing cultural ceremonies to take place.  Since this is not possible, due to the nature of the ceremonies (the use of fur in clothes for special occasions, etc.), and there is no obvious compromise that could be reached, the already started tact of  criminalising hunting appears do be the best method.  Perhaps the introduction of rangers in and around red panda habitats would further deter hunters, and it would not be a bad idea to create special parks where they could be bred in captivity but still given a good amount of space, and be treated if sick, etc.

The red panda is a critically endangered species, and we must work together to avoid the extinction of this wonderful animal.