Creation Science and Saving the Red Panda
Cuddly, cute — but are they, exactly? Depends on what one wants to call them: red cat-bear, lesser panda, firefox. The most common name is red panda. These critters are about the size of a large housecat, with very long tails.
Secular scientists think there are two species that were allegedly separated many Darwin years ago, so they should not be able to interbreed. At least, according to some definitions of species. These two species are suffering from inbreeding, which is threatens their survival because it brings lack of genetic diversity. (Consider purebred dogs. Many of those have inherent health issues. A mutt is far healthier and has more genetic material in its favor.) The biblical created kinds is a larger classification than species, and that would allow interbreeding. Biblical creation science principles trump secular views and can save the red panda. The fact that secular scientists admit that these two species can interbreed lends support to the biblical kinds view.
Scientists disagree on classifying red pandas, since they are more closely related to raccoons (trash pandas) than the giant pandas. The fact that scientists disagree on what defines a species adds to the confusion. They are also endangered and conservation is being examined.
 |
| Freeimages / Berkeley |
The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) has a bushy, striped tail and characteristic red/white colouration. They live in parts of central Asia. Their physical traits make them hard to classify. Some scientists think they are bears like the giant panda, others a type of raccoon.. . .
Based on new genetic evidence, some researchers claim that the Chinese and the Himalayan varieties are two separate biological ‘species’. According to this concept, a species is a group of interbreeding organisms that does not interbreed with other such groups. Evolutionists say that the two species arose around 250,000 years ago after the Yalu Zangbu River allegedly separated them.
You can read the entire article at "Creation-based conservation for the Red Panda." The video below has some interesting facts, one of which a giant red panda fossil was discovered in Tennessee. The narrator tacks on millions of Darwin years, but it's still an intriguing piece.