Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Vulnerable status

The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) does not enjoy hot weather, so they have either been inside, curled up asleep in a tree or sleeping in one of their little tree houses the last few times I have been to the Calgary Zoo. Did catch this one on a very quick walk around its enclosure on September 26th, but then it was back to taking a nap. "They are very heat sensitive, with an optimal “well-being” temperature between 17 and 25 °C (63 and 77 °F), and cannot tolerate temperatures over 25 °C (77 °F)." "The red panda has been classified as Vulnerable by IUCN because its population is estimated at fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. Although red pandas are protected by national laws in their range countries, their numbers in the wild continue to decline mainly due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and inbreeding depression." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_panda

A quick click of the shutter button and, if you are lucky, you'll capture at least part of one of these Red Pandas at the Calgary Zoo. This time, I was lucky enough to capture the "right" part, LOL! "The Red Panda, also called the Firefox, Fire Cat, Lesser Panda, or Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat"), is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialized as a bamboo feeder. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40 - 60 cm long, 3 - 6 kg weight). The Red Panda is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, Pakistan, India, Laos, Nepal, and Burma. There is an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation... Red Pandas are classified as Vulnerable. .... In southwest China the Red Panda is hunted for its fur and especially for its highly-valued bushy tail from which hats are produced. In the areas of China where the Red Panda lives, their fur is often used for local cultural ceremonies and in weddings the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. The 'good-luck charm' hats are used by Chinese newlyweds." From Wikipedia.