Topic > Human Impact on Red Panda Populations

IndexDeforestationPoachingAccidental TrappingRed pandas are "raccoon-like" animals with fluffy fur that ranges from orange, brown, black, and white. The red panda is found in central China, Nepal, Burma and other places in the surrounding area. They live in isolated mountain territories among the trees where they spend most of their time. These species live between 8 and 10 years in the wild, however, they can last a life of 15 years in protected zoos where they are not open to animals. many human causes of their extinction. These causes, including deforestation, poaching and bycatch, have caused the red panda population to decline over the past 50 years. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayDeforestationThe red panda lives among the trees as it chews bamboo and other leaves. Their claws allow them to stay in the tree and their fur helps them camouflage themselves against the lichen and red moss. “The animal is at home here and few places seem so remote and safe. But as more cities surround panda mountain forests, more of this habitat is being cut down for agriculture and firewood. Researchers estimate that the animal's range has shrunk by up to 50 percent over the past two decades. “Panda habitats that were once linked together through forests now end up confined to isolated mountain peaks,” says Miles Roberts, a wildlife biologist at the National Zoo…” Deforestation is one of the major problems causing the threat of the red panda across the country as humans are cutting down more and more trees for resources, leaving the animals with fewer habitats and food sources is the number one threat to the red panda species solution to this problem is to simply stop cutting down large quantities of trees, which would benefit not only red pandas but also other species. Preserving trees allows the environment to remain undisturbed and unified. It also allows for greater biodiversity among plants and animals since other organisms may inhabit different tree environments. As deforestation continues, tree diversity decreases as many trees in an area are cut down. Along with this, the organisms that inhabit the trees decline and die. This problem needs to be solved with reforestation so that more habitats are created for animals like the red panda. PoachingNot only is deforestation a problem among red panda populations, but the poaching of these animals where they are hunted leads to the killing of many red panda pandas in the process. "Red pandas are hunted for their skins, which are used to make fur capes and hats." These products are sold in places like Bhutan, where red pandas are found. If this continues there will be no more pandas in that environment due to the enormous amount of poaching. Not only are they poached, but some pandas are even traded illegally. Both of these practices are having an increasing impact on species already at risk of extinction. These animals are sold all over the world as people purchase them to create such products, inadvertently being involved in the endangerment of this species. Poaching of these pandas has led to a decrease in biodiversity as the red panda population is declining. Poaching these pandas is a very bad practice as red pandas are a unique species and “are the only living member of their own taxonomic family”. There:.