8.RP.1.1

Red Panda Endangerment The fire colored cat also known as the red panda. The first known record of this animal occurred in the thirteenth century. It was even found before the easily recognizable giant panda. They are the only species of its kind in the whole world. The red panda is small, only a little larger than the size of a house cat. It is sometimes mistaken for a raccoon because of its coloring, similar facial features and bushy tail. Its main diet includes mostly bamboo but they also eat nuts, bird eggs, berries and various plants("Red Panda: The Firecat - National Zoo| FONZ"). Red pandas live in cool temperate bamboo forests in central Asia. Places like Myanmar, Nepal, China and Bhutan. But they won't be living much longer if we don't acknowledge their existence("Conservation in ActionA` |A` Red Panda Network"). There are approximately only 2500 adult red pandas living right now. Most countries are already wiped out with extinction of red pandas. You won't see a red panda wondering about the highway as if you would any other roadside animal but you would see them in some state zoos. In central Asia red pandas are not given much thought("Red Panda Fact Sheet - National Zoo| FONZ.") They are hunted down and skinned of their beautiful fur to make expensive coats and hats even though it is against the law to kill them. And their being isn't the only thing that’s in danger. These bamboo forests are being destroyed by people who want agricultural profit and business funding for the future. Deforestation has taken place in so many of their natural habitats that the red panda is running out of places to live and will soon become extinct if we don't act now("Conservation in ActionA` |A` Red Panda Network"). What can we do? We've come up with a non profit organization called RPA (Red Panda Awareness) that collects money to give to other groups that share the same beliefs as we do. There is an organization called the Red Panda Network that gives you the chance to pledge and donate five dollars("Conservation in ActionA` |A` Red Panda Network"). That amount of money keeps one red panda from being harmed. We want to set up a donation process that allows you to come to school and give money. You can reach out and donate any amount of money. If thirty students donate one dollar you're protecting six innocent animals! That may not sound like it won't make a difference but it does. It's a chain reaction! After about a month we would count all the money and let you know how many red pandas you're saving. With these donations you are providing money to this organization to supply GPS's, hiking gear, flashlights, sleeping bags, headlamps, heavy duty boots and overall saving the lives of red pandas everywhere. This money will keep these people safe and make it easier for them to do their job in protecting this one of a kind species. Let’s work together and stop the extinction of the red panda!

Works Cited "Conservation in ActionÂ |Â Red Panda Network." //Conservation in ActionÂ |Â Red Panda Network//. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <[]>. "Red Panda Fact Sheet - National Zoo| FONZ." //Welcome to the National Zoo| FONZ Website//. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <[]>. "Red Panda: The Fire Cat - National Zoo| FONZ." //Welcome to the National Zoo| FONZ Website//. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <[]>.