RED PANDA NETWORK
11 September 2018
Saturday, 15 September, is International Red Panda Day, where we draw extra attention to the species and the threats it faces. We are supporting the Red Panda Network organisation. The organisation works to protect and conserve wild red pandas and their habitat through education and empowerment of local communities. The Himalayan panda habitat is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. It is home to many unique and endangered species including snow leopards, tree leopards, Asiatic wild dogs and red pandas. The red panda has been identified as an indicator and umbrella species in this ecoregion. Since 2007, the RPN has been working to protect the area and also successfully expanded the programme to central and western Nepal and Bhutan. Going forward, the RPN will duplicate efforts in all countries in the red panda range, including India, China and Myanmar. If you would also like to contribute, or find out more, visit redpandanetwok.org
Conserving endangered species, and preventing them from becoming extinct, requires efforts at several points in the chain. In the zoo, we can contribute with breeding and research to create a gene bank, while learning more about the species' behaviour and needs. Conservation work in zoos is referred to as ex-situ, which means that the work is carried out away from the species' home range. Conservation measures are also carried out in-situ, i.e. in the area where the species lives or has lived in the past. We at Parken Zoo contribute to several such projects, of which the Red Panda Network is one.
