Friday, 27 June 2014

Ailurus fulgens (Red panda) - Sikkim Mammal

Ailurus fulgens (Red panda)
Venue: Himalayan Zoological Park  Gangtok,  East Sikkim
Date: June 28, 2014
Pic: Shital Pradhan
Ailurus fulgens (Red panda)
Venue: Himalayan Zoological Park  Gangtok,  East Sikkim
Date: June 28, 2014
Pic: Shital Pradhan






Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia
Phylum:          Chordata
Class:              Mammalia
Order:             Carnivora
Family:           Ailuridae
Genus:            Ailurus
Species:           A. fulgens

Binomial name: Ailurus fulgens F. Cuvier, 1825

Other Names:  red panda, lesser panda and red cat-bear

Bhalu Biralo/ Habre (Nepali), Saknam (Lepcha) , Kaala (Limbu), ye niglva ponva/wah donka (Sherpa)

Special feature: It is native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China that has been classified as vulnerable by IUCN as its wild population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals.

The red panda is the only living species of the genus Ailurus and the family Ailuridae.

An anthropomorphic red panda was featured as Master Shifu, the Kung Fu teacher, in the 2008 film Kung Fu Panda and its 2011 sequel Kung Fu Panda 2.

Ailurus is adopted from the ancient Greek word αἴλουρος (ailouros), meaning "cat".[53] The specific epithet fulgens is Latin for "shining, bright".[54] Panda is the French name for the Roman goddess of peace and travelers, who was called upon before starting a difficult journey.(Source: Wikipedia)


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