About Red Panda:
- It is also known as the lesser panda which is primarily a herbivorous, shy, solitary and arboreal animal.
- It uses its long, bushy tails for balance and to cover them in winter, presumably for warmth.
- It is considered an indicator species for ecological change.
- Appearance: It is the size of a house cat, the red panda is famous for its cute face and adorable defense stance.
- Distribution: It is mainly found in the mountainous forests of Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.
- Conservation status
- IUCN Red list: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
- Threats: The loss of nesting trees and bamboo in the Eastern Himalayas which is causing a decline in red panda populations across much of their range.
What are Indicator Species?
- Indicator species are a species, or group of species, that reflect the biotic or abiotic state of an environment.
- They reveal the possible evidence and impact of environmental change, and indicate the diversity of other species, taxa, or entire communities within an area.
- Indicator species can provide an early warning of environmental changes.
- They can be used to assess the health of an environment or ecosystem – they are often termed ‘bioindicators’.
- They can be a useful management tool.
