Dujiangyan: In the southwest of the People's Republic of China lies a city called Dujiangyan, located some 48 kilometers from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. This city is iconic due to its civilization history of some 4,500 years and is one of the few cities with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Qingcheng Mountain, Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat.
According to Ghana News Agency, a significant attribute of the Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat is its provision of a home to the red panda, a rare tree-climbing mammal native to China and the eastern Himalayas. Research has identified this mammal, the sole member of the endangered Ailuridae family, as belonging to the second-class protected animals in China, and classified as Vulnerable C1 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Scientifically known as Ailurus fulgens, red pandas are renowned for their unique behaviors, which set them apart from other species in the animal kingdom. Dr. Tarik Regad, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, noted that the social behavior of red pandas is both fascinating and heartwarming, making them a popular species for study and conservation efforts.
Given their relevance to scientific study and tourism, the Chinese Government is working diligently to protect them from harm, as the authorities put in measures to improve the country's biodiversity and ecology. This comes at a time when many animal species are becoming extinct due to decreasing habitat availability, exploitation through hunting and trade, deforestation, and agricultural expansion.
Currently, it is estimated that red pandas have a population of less than 10,000 in the wild, with a decrease in numbers by some 50 percent over the last three generations, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Visitors to their sanctuary in Dujiangyan are often amazed at the explicit care given to this mammal, care the likes of which are rarely seen elsewhere in the world.
Bella Gao, a panda tour guide at the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), emphasized the meticulous and thoughtful process of caring for red pandas, which blends knowledge of dietary needs, behavioral science, and veterinary medicine. As the first giant panda disease prevention and control institution worldwide, the Centre serves as a base for scientific cooperation and a destination for natural tourism and panda visits.
Researcher Liu Di noted the historical classification of the red panda by Western scientists in 1825 as "panda," before the discovery of the giant panda in 1869 led to its current name. Interestingly, both the giant panda and red panda share a special body structure in their forepaw, known as a pseudo thumb, which helps them dexterously grasp bamboo.
The investment in building a conservation site for the red panda is considered worthwhile by the Chinese Government, particularly under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. The lifespan of a red panda is longer in captivity, averaging eight to ten years in the wild, and fifteen to twenty years in captivity. The conservation center presents an ideal environment for the species, with its consistently cool and moist climate.
The red pandas' behavior includes being most active at dawn and dusk, with activities such as grooming, eating, and resting during the day. Their diet consists mainly of plants, with occasional small amounts of insects. These creatures communicate through various vocalizations and scent markings.
Visitors to the sanctuary have expressed admiration for the red panda's charming, kitten-like face, cinnamon red fur, fluffy ringed tail, and astonishing agility. The sanctuary currently sees an average of 700 visitors daily, especially during the summer, with numbers expected to increase as more tourists seek to witness the red panda.
