Red panda
(Ailurus fulgens)
EEP Coordinator: Janno Weerman, Diergaarde Blijdorp
EEP page - Red panda
What are the EEP roles?
| Population Restoration |
| Insurance |
| Research (Ex Situ) |
| Education (In Range) |
| As the red panda is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List and the ex situ population has the potential to form the base for a population restoration project, the Small Carnivore TAG wants to trial a population restoration role for the red panda. For now, trials are ongoing with GSMP animals in India, and EAZA will only actively contribute to population restoration projects when requested. At the moment, the main focus is on knowledge gain which is considered useful for potential future reintroductions. |
| The Small Carnivore TAG wants to work towards a sustainable ex situ insurance population in EAZA, as the red panda is considered an Endangered species following the IUCN Red List and could benefit from having insurance in the future. With a genetically and demographically sustainable and behaviourally competent ex situ population, EAZA can contribute to supplying individuals for genetic/ demographic supplementation or reintroduction programmes when the need arises. For now, the insurance role is focused on the Ailurus fulgens fulgens (sub)species, and there is no direct role for Ailurus fulgens refulgens/ Ailurus fulgens styani at the moment. |
| The Small Carnivore TAG encourages red panda holders to participate in research activities to benefit the in situ red panda population (mainly focused on the Nepal region where collaborations are already in place). Research activities could focus on collaring and sexing individuals, and can be used to establish and share best practice guidelines and procedure competence. |
| The Small Carnivore TAG encourages the support of in situ education activities for local communities to aid in the conservation of red pandas in range. Although the work is carried out by the Red Panda Network, the EEP could contribute to education in range by providing funding (Forest Guarding Initiative) or educational material and information. |
| Education (In And Outside Range) |
| Capacity Building |
| The Small Carnivore TAG encourages red panda holders to participate in ongoing activities that could be of use to the planning and implementation of in situ conservation and research for red panda population. Ongoing activities include, amongst others, sharing expertise and husbandry guidelines, and researching the botanical aspects of red panda habitat. These activities could provide support and expertise to in situ conservation and research on red pandas where needed. |
| When keeping red pandas, it is recommended by the Small Carnivore TAG to carry out fundraising for the species, especially in collaboration with the Red Panda Network. |
EEP in numbers
In June 2025, the Red panda EEP included:
- 194 animals
- in 21 institutions.
Programme highlights
- In Zooquaria 114 (summer 2022) there is an article about the “back to the wild” project of red pandas in India. In Zooquaria 118 (summer 2023) there is an article about the studbook programs of Rotterdam Zoo, including the red panda EEP.
