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When Were Red Pandas Discovered?: Unveiling the Mysteries of the Rusty Cat-Bear
The start of of discovery into when were red pandas discovered takes us to the lush forests and snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. They have long been home to mystical creatures shrouded in legend and lore. Yet even in this land of marvels, the red panda stands out as a true biological wonder. With its teddy bear-like appearance but surprising relation to raccoons and skunks, the red panda captivated those fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of this elusive animal.
For centuries, intermittent sightings and scattered folktales were the only hints that such a fantastic creature roamed the high altitude bamboo thickets of China, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar. It wasn’t until the 19th century that western science finally revealed the true nature of the evasive rusty cat-bear to the outside world.
Early Written References Hint at the Panda’s Existence
The first known written record referencing the red panda comes from a 13th century Chinese scroll documenting the animals living tribute collectors encountered on their journeys. Though some scholars argue an even earlier poem may allude to the creature. While these brief historical notes prove locals were familiar with the panda, its shyness and remote forest home kept it hidden from the wider world.
19th Century Naturalists Uncover the Panda Scientifically
As the 19th century dawned, European naturalists began taking a keen interest in the exotic plants and animals of Asia. These intrepid collectors embarked on perilous journeys to India, Nepal, and China in search of new species to study and specimens to enrich museums and private collections back home. Tales of a fox-like animal that dined on bamboo in the misty mountain forests tantalized these naturalists. Yet even those lucky enough to observe the creature firsthand struggled to say definitively what it was.
In 1821, Major General Thomas Hardwicke presented a paper describing an unusual reddish animal from the Himalayas that seemed to resemble a raccoon or bear but was the size of a small cat. He even included a watercolor painting based on a living specimen kept in captivity. While Hardwicke’s account generated much interest, the scientific community remained uncertain if this was truly a new species or perhaps just an unusual raccoon. A few years later, another British naturalist named Brian Houghton Hodgson would play a key role in validating the existence of what he called the “wha” or “ye”.
Stationed in Nepal, Hodgson was able to examine several specimens and consult local tribesmen familiar with the animal. His 1847 paper published in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal described both the physical features and behaviors that distinguished the wha from other known animals. Hodgson gave the creature the scientific name Ailurus fulgens, though he mistakenly grouped it within the bear family. While subsequent examinations determined the animal was not actually related to bears at all, Hodgson’s descriptions and naming firmly established the red panda as a real species new to science.
In the late 1860s, a French missionary and amateur naturalist by the name of Pere Armand David would provide the most detailed early account of the red panda. Stationed in China, David had the opportunity to observe and even acquire specimens of animals unknown to Europe at the time. When he succeeded in obtaining a red panda specimen, David knew it was something quite special. In 1869 he provided the first conclusive evidence that the red panda’s closest relative was actually the raccoon. His description was so thorough that he earned the right to give the panda its iconic scientific name Ailurus fulgens or “shining cat”.
Museum Specimens Reveal the Red Panda’s Secrets
As museum specimens of the red panda made their way to Paris, London, and New York over the next few decades, scientists were able to conduct more in-depth anatomical studies to uncover the species’ taxonomic secrets. Clear morphological similarities to the raccoon family emerged, cementing the red panda’s scientific classification away from bears. Detailed osteological studies would even reveal surprising convergent evolution between the red panda and giant panda. Both species adopted a vegetarian bamboo diet leading to remarkable common adaptations in their specialized wrist bones, teeth, and skulls despite not being closely related.
Observing the Panda in the Wild
With its taxonomic status cleared up, attention shifted to studying the red panda’s ecology and behavior in the early 20th century. Researchers found red pandas ranged across a huge territory spanning 3,300 miles across 4 countries along the southern Himalayan mountains. But their preference for remote high altitude forests between 9,000 to 13,000 feet made observing them a challenge. Intrepid zoologists like William G. Graffam braved the rugged terrain and spent months staking out bamboo thickets just to document the red panda’s nesting, territorial, and feeding behaviors in the wild for the first time.
These field studies in the panda’s native habitat revealed a great deal, but many questions still remained. How many really existed across their vast range? How did they interact with other species? And could this incredibly shy animal actually thrive in captivity or even breed? To help find some answers, the first red pandas arrived at American zoos in the late 1890s as exotic curiosities. Unfortunately, the high-strung, frail creatures did not adapt well initially. The fortunate few that survived their ocean journeys often refused food, paced incessantly, and died prematurely in their barren concrete enclosures. It seemed the red panda would remain a mystery.
Successful Zoo Breeding Programs Advance Red Panda Research
Persistence by zoos over decades gradually uncovered the red panda’s specialized needs for bamboo, higher altitudes, and escape-proof exhibits. With improving conditions and successful breeding programs, zoo populations grew large enough to begin reintroduction efforts back to protected wilderness areas across Asia. Captive research also revealed more about the red panda’s unique evolutionary adaptations, physiology, and reproduction. Work still continues today to better understand and conserve this still little-seen denizen of the Asian highlands.
From obscure 13th century poetry to elusive 19th century field reports, the red panda has come a long way from forgotten folklore to zoo celebrity. But it retains its mystique as one of the most charming and appealing creatures that nature has to offer. For while we’ve uncovered many of the red panda’s secrets over the past two centuries, there is still much to learn about this captivating cat-bear. Each new discovery adds wonder to this panda’s already irresistible rusty charm. So the next time you catch sight of those appealing black eyes and fluffy ringed tail at the zoo, take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come in unveiling the mysteries of the most enchanting panda of all.
Red pandas are awesome animals, aren’t they? I hope you enjoyed finding out the answer to ‘when were red pandas discovered’
Check out our YouTube video about them too!
