INTERNATIONAL RED PANDA DAY

September 19, 2026September 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

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

Their fur is the color of cinnamon and keeps them warm in cold climates.
Red pandas eat mostly bamboo.
They were discovered in 1825, before the giant panda.
Other names for the red panda include bear-cat, firefox, and Himalayan raccoon.
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.

Explore More…

National Wildlife Day
National Urban Wildlife Refuge Day
National Wildlife Conservation Day
National Endangered Species Day
World Lion Day
National Monkey Day
National Pig Day
National Appreciation Elephant Day
National Dolphin Day
National Wildlife Week
World Wildlife Day
National American Eagle Day
Save the Eagles Day
National Panda Day
International Red Panda Day
National Zoo Lovers Day
National Zoo and Aquarium Month

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.

Zoo & Aquarium Month

May 31, 2026May 31, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 7 Comments

National Zoo and Aquarium Month is an excellent time to plan your trip and make a donation to favorite zoo or aquarium.

Launch into summer by visiting an aquarium or zoo near you. All around the country, parks are gearing up for visitors. They offer programs all year round regarding the wildlife they support that are educational and fun.

Aquariums and Zoo's — Visit your favorites

These are some favorites near me. Be sure to check with them for re-opening schedules.

Audubon Aquarium New Orlens, LA — Audubon Aquarium New Orleans

Butterfly House Navarre, FL — Butterfly House Navarrre, FL stay tuned for new location

HOW TO OBSERVE

There’s more than one way to explore your zoo or aquarium.

Many zoos offer passes that are good at other wildlife parks and aquariums across the country.
Learn about vanishing habitat and conservation while visiting the wildlife parks.
Check out their rehabilitation programs and learn how zoologist and veterinarians help injured animals return to the wild.
Sponsor one of your favorite creatures! Many programs offer a way to help support the wildlife we enjoy most, especially those that are endangered.
Speaking of endangered species, learn about reduced populations and find out which ones are making comebacks.
Which zoos have nurseries? Several wildlife programs pair up to create conservative breeding programs to help create a sustainable population. Ask if your zoo participates in Species Survival Plans.

Use #ZooAndAquariumMonth

Scientific Foundations of Zoos and Aquariums: Their Role in Conservation and Research 1st Edition

by Allison B. Kaufman (Editor), Meredith J. Bashaw (Editor), & 1 more

NATIONAL ZOO LOVERS DAY

April 8, 2026April 8, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

Each year on April 8th, National Zoo Lovers Day encourages us to explore our local zoos. Each year millions of people visit zoos and learn about the many animals that live there. Also known as zoological parks, many of them serve as breeding centers. These facilities are relied upon when species are endangered or at risk of becoming endangered. They also provide education to the public about a broad variety of animals and their habitats.

Enjoy seeing your favorite animals swinging from the trees or splashing in the water and have a fun-filled day.

A few zoo facts:

The Vienna Zoo is the oldest existing zoo and was opened to the public in 1765.
The United State’s first zoo open to the public, Central Park Zoo, opened in 1864 in New York.
Philadelphia Zoo holds the oldest zoo charter, formed in 1859. It officially opened to the public in 1874.
There are 350 zoos in the United States
Approximately 175 million people visit a zoo each year.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has had more than 9.8 million annual visitors.
More than 3.2 million people visit the San Diego Zoo each year.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ZOO LOVERS DAY

Visit your local zoo.
Make a donation to a zoo program.
Share your zoo experiences with others.
Take a virtual tour of a zoo. There are many different kinds of zoos. Take a virtual tour of this reptile zoo and learn about the reptiles that live there.
Use #NationalZooLoversDay to post on social media.