Celebrate International Red Panda Day

When travelers think of Chengdu, the first image that comes to mind is often the giant panda. But hidden among the bamboo groves of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地) lives another equally captivating animal — the red panda. With its fiery fur, playful nature, and quiet charm, the red panda has become a global symbol of cuteness and conservation.

This September, in celebration of China’s National Science Popularization Month and International Red Panda Day (September 20, 2025), the Chengdu Panda Base is hosting a special program called “Red Panda Planet.” It’s a rare chance for visitors to learn about this endangered species through science talks, interactive activities, and fun educational events designed for all ages.

Meet the Red Panda: China’s “Fire-Colored Elf”

Despite their name, red pandas are not giant pandas — they belong to their own unique family, closer to raccoons and skunks. Native to the Himalayas and the mountain forests of Sichuan and Yunnan, these small mammals thrive in cool, high-altitude forests. They have thick, russet-red fur, a long ringed tail for balance, and a diet that consists mainly of bamboo, though they also enjoy berries, fruit, and insects. Red pandas are agile climbers and often nap stretched across tree branches, making them one of the most photogenic animals in the world.

Sadly, red pandas are classified as endangered, with fewer than 10,000 left in the wild. Deforestation, climate change, and hunting have all reduced their natural habitat. In captivity, welfare and enrichment are key challenges — which is why places like the Chengdu Panda Base are essential. Here, researchers and keepers are pioneering care techniques, improving conservation awareness, and ensuring that both giant pandas and red pandas have a future.

Red Pandas in Sichuan and Beyond

Sichuan is one of the strongholds of the red panda, where the cool, high-altitude bamboo forests of the Qionglai and Minshan Mountains provide an ideal habitat. Visitors to the Chengdu Panda Base often see red pandas thriving in these carefully protected enclosures that replicate their natural environment. Beyond Sichuan, red pandas are also found in Yunnan Province, as well as across the Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Interestingly, scientists recognize two subspecies: the Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens), found mainly in Nepal and India, with slightly lighter facial markings, and the Chinese red panda (Ailurus fulgens styani), found in Sichuan and Yunnan, which is generally larger with a deeper red coat. This regional difference makes Chengdu a particularly significant place to learn about and see the Chinese subspecies up close.

Red Panda Planet: Activities at Chengdu Panda Base

To raise awareness and celebrate International Red Panda Day, Chengdu Panda Base has prepared a lineup of events under the theme “Red Panda Planet.” Visitors can attend an Expert Science Salon (Sept 10), where animal behaviorists share the latest in red panda research and conservation. On Sept 18, guests can join the Red Panda Enrichment Experience, a hands-on session that includes welfare games, training demonstrations, and even a “Keeper-for-a-Day” challenge — ending with participants earning a “Red Panda Guardian” badge. The same day also features Panda Chats, short interactive talks led by educators and volunteers that reveal the secret life of red pandas, from their unique biology to China’s wildlife protection laws. All activities are free of charge, open to the public, and designed with animal welfare in mind.

Experience Chengdu with Locals

The red panda may be small, but its story is big — a reminder of the delicate balance between people, animals, and nature. Visiting Red Panda Planet at Chengdu Panda Base is more than a day at a wildlife park; it’s a chance to be part of a global conservation movement.