Red panda

Description

The red panda demonstrates remarkable climbing skills, being able to climb down a tree headfirst thanks to its semi-retractable claws and the rotation of itshind legs through almost 90 degrees.It also has a sixth finger on its front paws, formed by amodified wrist bone , enabling it to grasp bamboo branches more easily.

Threats and preservation

It is estimated that fewer than 10,000 red pandas remain, and that the population is in decline. This decline is mainly due to habitat loss, particularly from forest exploitation, as well as poaching The Red Panda Network, an NGO, has set up a community conservation project involving 42 Nepalese forest guards from local communities. Their role is to survey and monitor the red panda population and fight forest fires.