Behaviour of Zoo-Housed Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens): A Case-Study Testing the Behavioural Variety Index

The red panda is listed as “endangered” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, due to the rapid population decline. Improving our knowledge on the red panda biology and ethology is necessary to enhance its husbandry and breeding in zoos. Behavioural variety, intended as the presence of a wide array of species-specific behaviour, has […]

A debilitating digestive condition in captive red panda Ailurus fulgens with animal welfare implications for the global population

Investigations into the possible cause of a recurring, debilitating digestive condition in a male red panda Ailurus fulgens held at Perth Zoo, and a subsequent global survey in 2012 of 76 institutions managing the species, indicate that similar signs are widespread amongst the global zoo population of red pandas. Neither medication nor dietary interventions appear […]

Postoccupancy evaluation of staff, visitors, and three species of animals in a zoo setting

Postoccupancy evaluation (POE) was used to assess newly constructed zoo exhibits from the perspective of three user groups: zoo staff, zoo visitors, and the animals. Staff represents a generally understudied user group in zoo-based POEs. We asked staff to rate the animals’ space, the visitors’ space, and the staff’s space at previous and new exhibits. […]

Predictors of psychological stress and behavioural diversity among captive red panda in Indian zoos and their implications for global captive management

At high elevations, biodiversity is at elevated risk from extinctions due to rapid environmental changes. In the most of its range in Himalayas, the red panda, an endangered species, is struggling to survive in the wild, and a global captive breeding programme has been launched to conserve the species. Because captivity can have negative impacts […]

Potential effects of GPS collars on the behaviour of two red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) in Rotterdam Zoo

GPS collars are frequently used to study the (behavioural) ecology of species. However, such collars can cause behavioural changes and can have negative physiological effects on the individuals wearing them. A pilot study to obtain data on behavioural and physiological effects of GPS collars on the target species would therefore be recommended, especially when it […]

Red Panda Care Manual

Preliminary model of personality structure in captive red pandas (Ailurus fulgens)

Research on animal personality has revealed that it is stable and contextually consistent and has a significant impact on an animal’s physiology and psychological wellbeing. Personality, sometimes referred to as behavioral syndromes, personality dimensions, or temperament, impacts health, reproductive success, and survival, and is thus an important factor to consider when assessing the welfare of […]

Influences of mating groups on the reproductive success of the Southern Sichuan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens styani)

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20034.abs The reproduction of female red pandas under three different husbandry conditions (monogamy, polygamy, and polyandry) was studied at the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding, and Chengdu Zoological Park, China. We monitored the fecal steroid profiles of seven females by radioimmunoassay in order to understand how the different mating groupings affect the […]

Applying biology to endangered species management.

A review of Red Panda Biology, edited by A.R. Glatson. The Hague, The Netherlands: SPB Academic Publishing, 1989, 187 pp., $34.00, paper

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