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International Red Panda Day is observed on September 16 of this year. The red panda is a mammal slightly larger than a domestic cat and feeds on bamboo. The commemoration of International Red Panda Day is a way to promote and encourage people to save these adorable beings as they are being listed as endangered species.
“We all have a responsibility to protect endangered species, both for their sake and for the sake of our own future generations.” – Loretta Lynch
History of International Red Panda Day
Every third Saturday of September marks the celebration of these wonderful creatures. The red panda species is classified as an Endangered species by the IUCN due to the decline in its wild population. Approximately less than 10,000 mature red pandas are surviving. Even after national laws are protecting them, the red panda continues to diminish in number due to habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and inbreeding depression. International Red Panda Day is observed to save this species as they are nearing extinction. The Red Panda is otherwise called the lesser panda, the red bearcat, and the red cat-bear. These mammals are native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.
Red Panda has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait because of its shorter front legs and reside on the bamboo tree. It is a solitary animal, mainly active from dusk to dawn, and is found to be mostly inactive during the day. IRDP 2017 is to be celebrated in more than 60 zoos globally. The event focuses on helping Red Panda Network (RPN) by creating as many Red Panda Rangers as possible on that day. It is a unique title awarded to children who contribute to spreading the word about red pandas. RPN is actively working towards the protection of wild red pandas and their habitat with the help of education and empowerment of the local communities.
Other Celebrations on September 16
September 16 is also celebrated as
- National Stepfamily Day
- National Play Doh Day
- International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
- National Collect Rocks Day
- National Guacamole Day
- National Working Parents Day
- Software Freedom Day
- International Coastal Cleanup Day
- International Eat an Apple Day
- Batman Day
- National Gymnastics Day
How to Celebrate the Day
Celebrating International Red Panda Day is very simple. Participate in the IRDP 2018 to encourage and get involved in saving the red pandas species from further decline. Encourage your children to spread the word Red Panda on this day to get the title Red Panda Rangers. Any form of support you give will directly benefit the Forest Guardians who are involved in protecting the red pandas. Use the hashtags #IRPD2018 or #InternationalRedPandaDay and post and share about the red pandas on social media.
Thank you for reading the post. You can celebrate every day with Happydays365.org and Happy International Red Panda Day 2023.