Brandywine Park in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Red Panda
Ailurus fulgens fulgens
Though they look bear-like, red pandas are more closely related to racoons. The name panda likely comes from the Nepali word ponya, which means bamboo eater.
Red pandas were first classified by a French naturalist in 1825 — 48 years before the iconic black and white giant pandas were described.
Another name for red pandas is firefox. Their scientific name, Ailurus fulgens, translates to fire colored cat, though they're not related to foxes or cats.
🍴 Eat mostly bamboo leaves and shoots; also berries, flowers, acorns, eggs, mice and other plants.
🏠 Live in temperate deciduous conifer forests of Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and the Indian states of Assam and Sikkim.
⏲️ 18 years. Can live for 8-12 years in the wild, 15-18 under human care.
Conservation Status: Endangered
Red pandas are threatened by loss of nesting trees and bamboo due to climate change and development.
Erected by Brandywine Zoo; Delaware State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment
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Location. 39° 45.321′ N, 75° 32.931′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Brandywine Park. Marker can be reached from North Park Drive, 0.1 miles east of North Van Buren Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 N Park Dr, Wilmington DE 19802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Red Panda Conservation (here, next to this marker); Ameraucana (a few steps from this marker); Barred Rock (a few steps from this marker); Delaware Blue Hen (a few steps from this marker); Golden Lion Tamarin / The Amazon River and Rainforest / White-faced Saki (within shouting distance of this marker); Bobcat (within shouting distance of this marker); Andean Condor (within shouting distance of this marker); Burrowing Owl (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 28, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
