Activity Patterns of Captive Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: We studied how captive red panda (Ailurus fulgens) spend their day at three zoos within Australasia, using video cameras, and in-person observations. The red panda in this study were active at dawn and dusk, with another period of activity around midnight. The temperature greatly affected how red panda spent their time, with more focus on resting and sleeping when temperatures were high. This preliminary study suggests environmental changes directly affect red panda behaviour. This knowledge will help inform captive facilities about husbandry and provide insight into how their wild counterparts will cope with global temperatures increasing. ABSTRACT: We studied the activity budgets of seven Ailurus fulgens, at three zoos within Australasia, using video cameras, and in-person observations. Red panda in this study followed a crepuscular activity pattern, with another short peak of activity around midnight. Ambient temperature greatly affected panda activity patterns; red panda allocated more time to resting and sleeping when temperatures increased. This preliminary study suggests how environmental factors affect captive red panda, which will help better inform captive facilities, and how this might impact their wild conspecifics.