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The Temperate Zone houses a trio of Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), also known in Chinese

Mary Schwalm Red Panda munching at the Central Park Zoo.

as “hun-ho”, or “fire-fox”. This is because of the beautiful red fur these pandas possess.

The male is Goodwin and with him is a Red Panda from Greensboro, NC called Bella.

Red pandas are part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), in which many zoos, such as the CPZ, take part. Since the number of Red pandas is unknown in the wild, the goal of the SSP is to build a captive population- genetically varied- in case the wild population becomes extinct. Red pandas are hard to breed. A female Red panda may only go through estrus once a year and be receptive for an 18-24 hour period. If this does not coincide with a male’s territory, and if his sperm is not viable during this period, then the female will not conceive. The CPZ is proud that their Red pandas have produced three cubs in recent years. Once the cubs were sexually mature, they traveled to other institutions to participate in their SSP breeding programs.

Habitat: The Himalayan foothills of southwestern China, Tibet, northern Myanmar, and Nepal. Red pandas live in temperate forests at elevations of 4,900 to 13,000 feet.

Diet: 99% of their diet is bamboo, but they may also on occasion eat roots, grasses, fruits, bird eggs, and small rodents. Their low energy diet does not lend itself to an active lifestyle. In the wild Red pandas are active at dawn and dusk and may search 13 hours for food and sleep the day away. At the CPZ, this family is fed high fiber biscuits and bamboo. Chances are that at any time one or two of these pandas will be napping in the trees, with the semi-retractable claws providing a good grip and the bushy tails providing balance.

Description: The Lesser panda, or Red panda, is a bright red color. It has a white, masked face and a long, ringed tail resembling that of a raccoon. Red pandas may weigh up to 13 lbs and may reach a length of 25 inches.

History: The Red panda was discovered in the west in 1800 and was known as the only panda until 1869, when a missionary discovered what the Chinese called “Beishung” or “White bear”. The Red panda then became known as the Lesser panda, because of its size. In truth, panda means “bamboo eater”. While both the Red panda and the Giant panda live in the same territory and eat the same food (bamboo), they are not related. DNA evidence has now found Red pandas to be related to the raccoon. If you look closely at their ringed tails and marked faces, you can see the resemblance.

Threats: Clouded leopards, Snow leopards, wild dogs, deforestation, and animal trade.

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