Celebrating the adorable red panda on International Red Panda Day

The day is an annual event organised by the charity Red Panda Network to raise awareness about the plight of the Red Panda in the wild.

These adorable animals are at risk from habitat loss, poaching and the pet trade.

Found in the foothills of the Himalayas they are hardy animals and adapted to living in cooler temperatures... which is maybe why they do so well in the Lake District!

The Lake District Wildlife Park has supported the Red Panda Network and the Forest Guardian Scheme for over 10 years when Red Pandas Charu and Mei Li first arrived at the Park.

Armathwaite Hall Hotel, which sits next to the Park, has also made generous Christmas donations over the last two years. The money has helped to restore degraded habitat for Red Pandas and helped to fund Bamboo planting to ensure the continuity of food for Red Pandas.

Prayer flags hanging on a string (Image: Lake District Wildlife Park)

The contributions to the Forest Guardian Scheme mean that the Park has been able to sponsor an individual, Sushma Pradham.

She lives in Nepal and is a young mother who had a desire to work in Red Panda conservation.

Since completing her training and working out in the field protecting Red Pandas she has moved to restoration work and is now planting and caring for saplings.

The Park is keen to continue this relationship that they have with the Scheme and continue to sponsor Sushma.

A red panda on a branch (Image: Lake District Wildlife Park)

Throughout the summer the Park had educational information about Red Pandas on display. There was a fun Red Panda quiz to complete and a Red Panda colouring-in sheet.

Also, in the education area there was a box full of paper prayer flags (which are commonly found in Nepal) on which people could write their wishes and prayers and then tie them up with the rest of the flags.

The kind words then get blown on the wind and sent around the world.

This wonderful act of goodwill was participated in by approximately 300 people and the Park were thrilled to read all the lovely messages about wanting to protect their animals.

A red panda eating a leaf (Image: Lake District Wildlife Park)

The Park was further filled with good feelings and gratitude on International Red Panda Day.

A post with a selection of photographs of Charu and Mei Li the Red Pandas was put on social media asking followers to post their photos too. The response was fantastic with lots of fabulous photos.

It warmed the hearts of staff to see just how much people really do love these animals and it is hoped with continued support we can all do our best to conserve them in the future.