Henry Vilas Zoo Helps Save the Red Panda

by Ermiyas Abiy, age 9

With their unique anatomy and small size, red pandas look a little different than their giant black and white cousins. This furry animal is endangered and Madison’s local zoo is trying to help them. Some of the reasons these animals are endangered are because of habitat loss, human interference, and poachers that kill them for their fur.

These small pandas are native to several countries including Nepal, China, and India. They are also native to one of Asia’s well-known high forests, the Himalayan Mountains. Their scientific name is Ailurus Fulgens, which means “fire cat.”

These furry animals are classified as carnivores by scientists even though they rarely eat meat. Because of this, they are widely considered herbivores as they mostly eat bamboo. Their habitats are home to about 40 different kinds of bamboo. However, they only choose one or two different species that have the most nutrients for the rest of their lives as their main food source.

Red pandas are only active 56% of the day because bamboo is poor in nutrients. They have a very slow metabolism. These pandas are light and agile which lets them climb trees easily. They eat 20-30% of their body weight every day. Interestingly, they have a specially modified wrist bone that acts as a sixth finger. This helps them grasp bamboo much like giant pandas.

Red pandas are related to all sorts of different animals. They are closely related to raccoons, weasels, and skunks but are in their own genetic family. Despite sharing the name “pandas”, red pandas are not closely related to giant pandas. Red pandas' are also nicknamed “Firefox.”

These small pandas live 8-10 years in the wild and 15-23 years in captivity. They weigh 6-13.5 pounds. They are 19-25 inches long and their tail is 11-20 inches long.

The Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin, is trying to help protect this furry pandas. The zoo is working with the Red Panda Network, which focuses on helping red panda species. All around the world, there are less than 10,000 red pandas in the wild, which is why they are on the endangered list.

With the big help from Henry Vilas Zoo, maybe they won’t stay endangered. If people keep taking the right steps, the red pandas’ numbers could make a comeback.

[Sources: Red Panda Network; Henry Vilas Zoo]