Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-02-26

An adorable endangered species known as the red panda has recently become a prized

A cute face with round eyes, a coat of reddish brown fur, and a long raccoon-like tail: this is the Red Panda. Not much larger than a house cat, it’s become the target of smugglers.

possession for exotic pet owners. In mid-January, animal rights activists working in the Southeast Asian nation of Laos seized six red pandas that had been smuggled into the country. Although trafficking in red pandas is rare in Laos, this latest incident is a cause for concern.

A cute face with round eyes, reddish brown fur, and a long raccoon like tail… this is the Red Panda. Not much larger than a housecat, it’s become the target of smugglers.

The red panda is native to China and the eastern part of the Himalayas. It’s become an endangered species because its habitat is under threat and that they are susceptible to infectious diseases.    [FULL  STORY]