Red Pandas- Newest Victims of the Exotic Pet Trade

One of the three red pandas rescued in Laos.

A recent rescue in Laos of three red pandas smuggled from China has raised concerns of the exotic pet trade targeting the rare animals. Six pandas were found on January 12 in northern Laos during an unplanned stop of a van traveling from China. Three had died during the journey, while the remaining three were sent to a sanctuary run by an organization called Free the Bears in the town of Luang Prabang. According to the organization's regional communications director, Rod Mabin, the three pandas finished their first two-week quarantine period and were shifted to larger enclosures with more room to climb. The organization shared latest footage of the animals eating leaves and fresh fruit while infrequently staring up at the camera. Mr. Mabin further added that the confiscation of the pandas was very unusual since Laos, which is a major transit hub in the illegal international trade of endangered wildlife, had never before seen the animals as victims of the illicit trade. Ang Phuri Sherpa, Nepal country director for the Red Panda Network, indicated that a primary investigation showed that the pandas were either being purchased for the pet trade or on the way to Thailand. He also urged the need for countries to utilize "extra effort curbing the illegal trade." In addition, discussions are currently going over where the pandas will live once they are fully recovered.

I believe this news goes to show that the illegal wildlife trade continues to operate with impunity, where every single animal becomes a victim of human consumption. This not only includes animals such as tigers, elephants, rhinos, pangolins, orangutans, and other endangered animals that wildlife-monitoring organizations are familiar with, but also newest victims of the trade. In this case, the victims turned out to be red pandas. Normally, these animals are threatened by loss of habitat in China and the eastern Himalayas making them highly susceptible to infectious diseases. However, their small size and adorable appearance made them ideal for the exotic pet trade. An evaluation from the IUCN Red List showed that the interest in red pandas as pets must have grown partially. But that does not mean the animals are under little to no threat from the illegal wildlife trade. I really think it is highly essential to step up efforts in combating the illegal wildlife trade, especially when new animals like red pandas become victims of this ongoing illicit business. In addition, it is highly crucial to boost up efforts to protect red pandas and several other endangered animals that are indiscriminately being targeted to feed the global criminal empire.

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