Question

According to the IUCN red list, what is the status of red panda (Ailurus fulgens)?
a) Vulnerable species
b) Critically endangered species
c) Extinct species
d) Endangered species

Answer 1

Hint: IUCN stands for International Union for Conservation of Nature. The IUCN red list is an inventory for the conservation status of biological species.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, we should know about the IUCN red list and also where the red pandas are found.
The IUCN red list provides relevant details about the list of biological species which are threatened and are at the risk of extinction. It provides scientific information of the species at global level so as to further make policies and take actions for the conservation of species. IUCN has divided the species into categories like extinct species which are terminated from the world, critically endangered which are facing very high risk of extinction, endangered species which are at risk to extinction, vulnerable species which are likely to become endangered.
Red Panda is a reddish brown animal with a waddling gait and has short front legs. It has a longer body and is heavier with a size that of a domestic cat. According to IUCN counting, it is estimated to be less than 10000 individuals. Thus it falls under the category of endangered species.

Thus, the correct answer is (D). The red panda is an endangered species.

Note: Red Panda is found in temperate forests of Himalayas in the foothills of Nepal and China. It prefers high altitudes. It mainly feeds on bamboo trees. The number is declining due to deforestation, poaching, low birth rate of the species and also due to environmental factors.