International Red Panda Day is probably the best — if not fluffiest — thing you’ll see today.
Zoos, conservationists and red panda lovers around the world are sharing images and videos on social media of the small, adorable mammals to commemorate the occasion.
And, it does not disappoint.
We’re all smiles for #InternationalRedPandaDay! Stop by to see our red panda, Také, next to the Bug House this weekend.
— Houston Zoo (@houstonzoo) September 17, 2022
📸: Children’s Zoo Keeper Marisol pic.twitter.com/UW9Se5a5OF
Facilities are sharing lots of red panda facts.
Red pandas spend up to 13 hours a day foraging for bamboo, eating only the youngest, most tender leaves. #InternationalRedPandaDay pic.twitter.com/h6bD3Utcs8
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) September 17, 2022
The sights & sounds of red pandas! Happy #InternationalRedPandaDay. A fun fact about red pandas is that their tails help them stay balanced & act as a cozy blanket during the cooler months.
— Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium (@PghZoo) September 17, 2022
Do you have a special memory of Kovu & Xia? Share your memories & photos with us! pic.twitter.com/7mNqJxLc6j
Fun fact in honor of #InternationalRedPandaDay: Our animal care team cuts fresh bamboo every day so these little floofs can get their daily diet of eight pounds of bamboo. #IRPD2022 pic.twitter.com/LGaaUBP7xB
— Zoo New England (@zoonewengland) September 17, 2022
It’s International Red Panda Day! Did you know that the red panda was discovered 50 years before the giant panda? Though they share a name and have similar anatomical features, giant pandas are bears in the family Ursidae, and red pandas are in their own family, called Ailuridae. pic.twitter.com/xIoPGql3MG
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) September 17, 2022
Some are even making birth announcements.
#InternationalRedPandaDay We’re seeing red … panda cubs!❤️Born on June 14 to “Udaya” & “Linus”, the two cubs have spent the last 3 months in the nursery bonding with mom and growing fast! They won’t be viewable for a few weeks yet, stay tuned! #ssp pic.twitter.com/r6U9blSNBD
— Calgary Zoo (@calgaryzoo) September 17, 2022
It’s a boy! Our cub has opened his eyes and continues to gain weight at a healthy rate. Maliha is spending more time resting outside the nest box as the cub is going longer spans between nursing. This is a positive developmental milestone that shows us he is getting stronger. pic.twitter.com/CGb0Ubvldd
— Potter Park Zoo (@potterparkzoo) September 16, 2022
And updates on really, really senior red pandas.
We couldn’t let #InternationalRedPandaDay pass without shining the spotlight on our senior superstar, ‘Dusk’. At 18 years old, Dusk is well into his senior years! He spends his time behind the scenes in his very own bachelor pad – enjoying a quiet space away from the youngers.😊 pic.twitter.com/8rXfHrQGS9
— Calgary Zoo (@calgaryzoo) September 17, 2022
No matter their age, everyone loves red pandas.
We would celebrate red pandas every day if we could, but tomorrow is officially #InternationalRedPandaDay. Make the last weekend of summer count with a trip to the Central Park Zoo to see them. pic.twitter.com/e1ciE63hay
— Central Park Zoo (@centralparkzoo) September 16, 2022
Hey, it’s not easy being this cute. 😉
— Sacramento Zoo (@SacramentoZoo) September 16, 2022
Happy #InternationalRedPandaDay – it’s tomorrow, Saturday, September 17. 🥳
While they are incredible AND adorable creatures, they’re also highly endangered. We’re honored to aid in their conservation efforts at the #SacramentoZoo. pic.twitter.com/AB1QmRDcdk
Happy #InternationalRedPandaDay! Lin likes to snack on apples! The Zoo supports the efforts of the Red Panda Network to protect red pandas and their bamboo forests in the wild through the education and empowerment of local communities. pic.twitter.com/KKHxDT7WjW
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) September 17, 2022
Red panda popularity soared this year with the Disney animated movie Turning Red, which featured a young Canadian girl who turns into a giant red panda in times of stress.
Naturally, Disney took time to recognize the importance of today.
Bonus fun fact: We can’t get enough of them! 😍 Happy #InternationalRedPandaDay! All of these and more are streaming on #DisneyPlusSG pic.twitter.com/9N4gMHNmLL
— Disney+ Singapore (@DisneyPlusSG) September 17, 2022
In the coming-of-age film, the girl eventually overcomes — or at least learns to live with — her obstacles, but life isn’t so easy for the real thing.
“Sadly, we are listed as Endangered with our population declining by approximately 50% over the last 20 years,” the Toronto Zoo notes.
Good morning and happy #InternationalRedPandaDay! 🐾
— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo) September 17, 2022
Sadly, we are listed as Endangered with our population declining by approximately 50% over the last 20 years 😢
Tune in to today’s Facebook Live at 1pm to learn more about red pandas and how you can help 🐾 pic.twitter.com/tryeuqZXvV
It’s #InternationalRedPandaDay🐾
— West Midland Safari (@WestMidSafari) September 17, 2022
Did you know, the endangered red panda is losing habitat across much of its range in the wild? 🌏
Visit our Conservation Station this Saturday & Sunday (11am – 3pm), to learn all about red pandas and the conservation efforts to save them! 🧡 pic.twitter.com/DaEE3MHeNP
Tomorrow is #InternationalRedPandaDay! There may be as few as 2500 red pandas in the wild, which is why we support @RedPandaNetwork – a NFP committed to saving red pandas through conservation projects in Nepal. Learn more about their work this #IRPD2022: https://t.co/iFSbPskrir pic.twitter.com/cClsO6sQWf
— Woburn Safari Park (@Woburn_Safari) September 16, 2022
For now at least, enjoy falling down the red panda rabbit hole.
It’s adorable.
Red pandas & pumpkins, oh my! 🎃 #InternationalRedPandaDay pic.twitter.com/ErW1ZK2Wkg
— Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (@clemetzoo) September 17, 2022
Pumpkin cam. 📹 #InternationalRedPandaDay pic.twitter.com/vEz9ezAhYl
— Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (@clemetzoo) September 17, 2022
Happy #InternationalRedPandaDay from our lovely Leo! Check out how our animal care team works with him on target training. Training sessions like this help animals, like Leo, participate in their own care. pic.twitter.com/nwWhD4oNUN
— Brookfield Zoo (@brookfield_zoo) September 17, 2022
Told you this was the best thing on the internet today.
Happy #InternationalRedPandaDay! pic.twitter.com/cJksEaTlLK
— Rainforest Trust (@RainforestTrust) September 17, 2022
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL RED PANDA DAY 2022 🐾
— Red Panda Network (@RedPandaNetwork) September 17, 2022
We hope wherever you are in the world, you are celebrating this spectacular species in any way you can. Whether it’s at a zoo, or with your friends and family, let’s make this the biggest panda party ever! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/IBJpLbLhJy
Main photo: Cincinnati Zoo/Twitter
