International Red Panda Day

International Red Panda Day raises awareness of the red panda’s potential extinction. These cute animals are endangered and listed in the Red Book. It is on the third Saturday of September every year.

History

The holiday was established by the Red Panda Network in 2010. Since then, it has been annually.

Red pandas have a limited habitat—they can be found in the temperate forests of the Himalayas. Currently, they are at risk of complete extinction. The reason for this lies in human activity. Three main problems are identified: deforestation, poaching (their fur is highly valued), and illegal animal trade.

In addition, some countries (India, Nepal, and Myanmar) simply do not have enough resources to drastically address the problem of red panda extinction. To support endangered animal populations, special organizations are involved; one of these is the World Wildlife Fund.

Today, about 2,500 animals remain in their natural habitat. For this reason, every effort must be made to prevent their complete disappearance.

Interesting Facts

• Red pandas breed well in captivity. Therefore, more than 300 animals are kept in zoos around the world.
• Their main diet is bamboo stems and leaves.
• The red panda is a predator. Despite their love for bamboo, they also eat eggs, birds, and small rodents.

How to Take Part

Hold information events among friends and acquaintances, at schools and universities—people should learn about the threat of the extinction of red pandas. Donate to charities and organizations that support red pandas and other animals in the wild.

Share a post on social networks. Talk more about these endangered animals so that more people know about the problem and try to help.

When is International Red Panda Day in 2024?

International Red Panda Day is observed on the third Saturday of September every year.

Observations