2009, 01st October, RARE FAUNA OF THE NORTH EAST RED PANDA 5 Rs. India

2009,  RARE FAUNA OF THE NORTH EAST RED PANDA 

RARE FAUNA OF THE NORTH EAST RED PANDA 5 Rs. 01st October 2009

                                       Text:              RED PANDA 5 Rs.  2009

                             Condition:             MNH

Country / Post	India
Date of Issue	1 October 2009
Primary theme	Fauna (Mammals)
Subject	Rare Fauna of the North East - Red Panda
Width	38.0 mm
Height	29.0 mm
Denomination	5.00 INR
Number in set	3
Layout/Format	sheet
Perforations	13 by 13
Stamp issuing authority	Ministry of Communications Department of Posts

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THE NORTH-EAST OF INDIA IS KNOWN AS A GEOGRAPHICAL GATEWAY FOR MUCH OF INDIA’S FLORA AND FAUNA. INDIA POST BY ISSUING COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMPS ON THE PHAYRE’S LEAF MONKEY, THE RED PANDA AND THE MARBLED CAT OF THE NORTH-EAST REGION, INVITES ATTENTION TO THE RICH ZOOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF INDIA AND THE NEED TO PRESERVE THIS LEGACY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

Red Panda

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens, or shining cat), is a small arboreal mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It is the only species of the genus Ailurus. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, it has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs. It feeds mainly on bamboo, but is omnivorous and may also eat eggs, birds, insects, and small mammals. It is a solitary animal, mainly active from dusk to dawn, and is largely sedentary during the day. It is only distantly related to the giant panda.

The red panda has been classified as Vulnerable by IUCN because its population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals.