Symbolizes: Gentleness
With soft, rust-colored fur and quiet, curious eyes, the Red Panda embodies gentleness and is a peaceful presence in the misty forests of the Himalayas.
Also affectionately known as the “firefox,” the Red Panda is not related to the Giant Panda but is instead more closely linked to skunks, raccoons, and weasels. Despite their name and bamboo-loving diet, they are an independent species and are unique, elusive, and irreplaceable.
Roughly the size of a house cat and weighing just 8–17 pounds, Red Pandas are small in stature but full of charm. Shy by nature, they live high in the mountain forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar, hidden among mossy branches and rhododendron groves.
Their threats are steep: habitat loss from logging, poaching for their beautiful coats, and a naturally low reproductive rate (1 out of 3 births are successful) have caused their population to decline. Fewer than 10,000 remain in the wild.
But they are full of quiet wonder. Red Pandas can detect scent using their tongue, are agile climbers, and are among the rare few animals that can descend trees headfirst. Their reddish facial markings are believed to help shield their eyes from the glare of the sun, a natural adaptation wrapped in beauty.
Every year, September 21st marks International Red Panda Day, a reminder of just how precious and vulnerable they are.
Let your purchase be a gentle act of protection.
Each candle supports conservation efforts dedicated to preserving the Red Panda and the ancient forests they call home.
Illuminate your space and help gentleness thrive in the wild.
Watch them live here: https://www.millbrook.org/animals/trevor-lovejoy-zoo-live