Tag #ConservationHeroes

INTERNATIONAL RED PANDA DAY

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During the third Saturday in September, International Red Panda Day dedicates a day to learning about about red pandas. Join the campaign to raise awareness about saving their habitats.

Red pandas are much smaller than the more familiar black and white pandas. In fact, red pandas are not related to giant pandas at all. Red pandas weigh between 12 to 20 pounds, which is about the size of a housecat. These adorable mammals live in the trees of the Himalaya Mountains. The Red panda’s popularity in Asia features them in cartoons and as team mascots. However, only about 10,000 red pandas live in the wild. Because of deforestation, poaching, and the illegal pet trade, red pandas are endangered.

5 Fun Facts About Red Pandas

  1. Their fur is the color of cinnamon and keeps them warm in cold climates.
  2. Red pandas eat mostly bamboo.
  3. They were discovered in 1825, before the giant panda.
  4. Other names for the red panda include bear-cat, firefox, and Himalayan raccoon.
  5. Although they resemble raccoons, they have no living relatives.

According to the Red Panda Network, red pandas symbolize of life. Red pandas help to keep forests healthy, the water clean, and the ecosystem vibrant. Saving the red panda helps combat global climate change as well as protect the ecological integrity of South Asia.

INTERNATIONAL RED PANDA DAY HISTORY

The Red Panda Network launched International Red Panda Day in 2010. At that time, 16 schools and a few zoos participated in red panda activities. Currently, more than 60 zoos around the world participate, with over 100,000 visitors on Red Panda Day.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalRedPandaDay

Many conservation organizations, along with schools and zoos all around the world, celebrate International Red Panda Day. Some zoos celebrate by having informational presentations about red pandas. In China, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding visits schools in rural areas where red pandas live. In Nepal, communities celebrate with speech competitions and film viewings. Many other organizations host activities that educate the public on the importance of red panda conservation.

If you want to take part in International Red Panda Day, check with your local zoo to see if they have any activities. Donate to the Red Panda Network or another group that strives to protect the red panda. Encourage your child to become a Red Panda Ranger to help spread the word about red pandas. You can also share an image of a red panda on social media with #InternationalRedPandaDay.

WORLD ELEPHANT DAY

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Join in the worldwide observance on August 12 as we celebrate of one of Earth’s most magnificent creatures on World Elephant Day.

As the largest living land animal on earth, elephants weigh up to 9 tons and stand almost 13 feet high. They have large ears and a long trunk used for drinking, grabbing things, smelling and breathing. Interestingly, elephants also use their trunk as a way to defend themselves. 

Elephants are native to Africa and Asia. There are two types of African elephant species–the savanna elephant and forest elephant. Only Asian male elephants grow tusks, while both African male and female elephants can grow tusks. Interestingly, Asian elephants only have one “finger’ on their trunk and African elephants have two. 

5 Elephant Tidbits

  1. An elephant has around 150,000 muscles in their trunk, allowing breath, drink, and smell.
  2. Elephant skin is around 2.5 cm thick. The wrinkles in their skin holds water to help keep them cool. 
  3. On average, an elephant eats around 300 pounds of food a day, including grass, tree shrubs, fruit, and leaves. 
  4. Elephants can communicate by feeling vibrations in their bones, carried through the ground.
  5. The temporal lobe responsible for memory is larger than a human, meaning an elephant has an amazing memory.

Elephants are spirited and playful animals. Have you ever seen them frolic in the water? And they will defend their own with their mighty tusks. Whether foraging for food or digging a mud hole, their tusks are vital for survival. Since hunters value the ivory more than the life of the elephant, they endanger the continued existence of these majestic animals. 

Elephants are in danger of extinction. Poaching for ivory from the tusks and loss of habitat are two of the main problems elephants face today. Through communication, awareness, and community involvement, we can protect this animal and the beauty they bring to nature. 

WORLD ELEPHANT DAY HISTORY

We encourage you to learn more about elephants by visiting the WorldElephantDay.org website. 

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CELEBRATE WORLD ELEPHANT DAY

Show your appreciation today by visiting the elephants at your local zoo. Get involved. Learn about conservation and eliminating poaching. Watch a documentary about elephants to learn more about this majestic creature. Use #ElephantAppreciationDay to post on social media.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY

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Each year on December 4th, Wildlife Conservation Day seeks to spread awareness about preserving and protecting the natural world and its inhabitants. Additionally, the observance strives to put an end to wildlife crime and supporting the Endangered Species Act.

Wildlife Crime

Wildlife crime includes illegal poaching and smuggling of animals. Additionally, it includes transporting a specific animal product by criminal groups to make a profit. A few examples would be rhino horns and elephant tusks. Wildlife crime is detrimental to the ecosystem as it causes animals to become endangered or extinct.
Because of poaching, these six animals are at risk of becoming extinct:

  • Elephants
  • Rhinos
  • Tigers
  • Sea turtles
  • Lemurs
  • Gorillas

Can you imagine living in a world where these fantastic animals no longer exist? If wildlife crime continues, it could very well happen. This is why Wildlife Conservation Day focuses on putting an end to wildlife crime.

The Endangered Species Act

Another focus of Wildlife Conservation Day is the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA was signed into law by President Nixon in 1973. The program helps to protect endangered plants and animals. The lead federal agencies for implementing the ESA include:

  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
  • U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The FWS maintains a list of all the endangered species, which include birds, insects, fish, reptiles, mammals, crustaceans, flowers, grasses, and trees. In late 2019 President Trump announced a major overhaul to the law that would reduce regulations. Because of this, it’s more important than ever to support the ESA.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY HISTORY

The call to wildlife conservation began in the 1900s. At the time, the bison nearly became extinct, and the passenger pigeon disappeared. These two events introduced the public to the concept of extinction.

Throughout the years, much was done to create awareness about wildlife conservation. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton created Wildlife Conservation Day.
At the time, Clinton had stated, “Wildlife cannot be manufactured. And once it’s gone, it cannot get replenished. Those who profit from it illegally are not just undermining our borders and our economies; they are truly stealing from the next generation.”

HOW TO OBSERVE #WildlifeConservationDay

Many conservation groups, zoos, and wildlife organizations hold a variety of events. These events focus on ending wildlife crime and saving endangered species. They host educational seminars and exhibits. They also offer discounted or free passes to their facilities.

To participate:

Sign the WWF pledge to stop wildlife crime

  • Don’t buy illegal wildlife products, such as ivory
  • Boycott unsustainable food products, such as palm oil
  • Donate to a conservation group or wildlife organization
  • Educate yourself on wildlife crime and endangered species
  • Learn more about the Endangered Species Act
  • Watch documentaries on wildlife issues and animal protection, including Blackfish, Forks Over Knives, and Racing Extinction.

Be sure to share this day on social media with #WildlifeConservationDay