RED PANDA Very few animals can boast of greater beauty than the Red, or Lesser, Panda (Ailurus fulgens). With their bright chestnut colour and white facial markings, pointed ears and black nose, darker under parts and faintly ringed tails they instantly catch the eye.

They inhabit the middle ranges of the central and eastern Himalayas. They are found in fair numbers in Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and the North East Frontier agency of India, where they live in the temperate bamboo forests from about 6,000 to 12,000 feet elevation.

In feeding habits they appear to be almost omnivorous, eating the leaves, shoots and roots of bamboo and other vegetation, fruit, small birds, eggs, insects and so on. Red Pandas are easily captured and tamed. Because of their cat-like and bear-like appearance they are sometimes known as 'cat-bears', and make most delightful pets. They have in recent years become increasingly popular in zoos of Europe and America.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India