Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that the red panda is a globally rare and endangered species, listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with a global population of only about 10,000. This mammal is found only in Myanmar within the ASEAN countries, primarily inhabiting the glacial mountains of northern Myanmar; its complete distribution also includes China (including the Tibet Autonomous Region), India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
It is understood that red pandas prefer to inhabit steep mountainous areas near water sources and dense bamboo forests. Expert research indicates that this species was widely distributed across Eurasia and North America approximately 18 to 25 million years ago, with a distribution range similar to that of its now extinct relatives. As the only surviving species in its family, the red panda, although classified as a carnivore, has a diet similar to that of the giant panda, primarily feeding on tender bamboo leaves, and occasionally preying on birds, bird eggs, and insects. Covered in reddish-brown fur, they are highly camouflaged and difficult to spot in the wild.
The red panda's survival faces multiple threats. About 50 years ago, approximately 40% of the red panda population in the western Himalayas perished due to illegal hunting, primarily driven by human hunting and predation by snow leopards. U Han Soe Tun, an animal welfare advocate in Myitkyina, explained that the Phu Tak O mountain range in Myanmar is a crucial habitat for red pandas. Local residents do not raise red pandas but consume their meat. Sometimes, red pandas are captured and brought to Myitkyina for sale, although their meat is not commonly found in the market and is mostly consumed by local residents. Meanwhile, driven by demand for medicinal purposes and fur ornaments, some red pandas are captured and sold to border areas, further exacerbating the population crisis.
Currently, red panda conservation efforts are mainly focused on China and India. U Han Soe Tun emphasized that the red panda is a rare species that only remains in Myanmar among ASEAN countries, and strengthening its protection and conservation is crucial to preventing its extinction.
