Why in News? 

Observed on the 3rd Saturday of Sept each year. 

• Also called Firefox, Lesser Panda, or Red Cat-Bear, found across the Himalayas, from Nepal to China’s Sichuan & Yunnan provinces. 
• Great Bend of the Brahmaputra divides population into Himalayan & Chinese Red Panda populations. 
• Prefers altitudes of 2,200–4,800 m in mixed deciduous & conifer forests with bamboo. 
• Sikkim’s state animal & mascot of Darjeeling Tea Festival. 
• IUCN Red List- Endangered, CITES- Appendix I, WPA, 1972- Schedule I.