Native to the temperate forests of the Himalayas, the red panda's range spans from western Nepal to China, typically inhabiting areas at elevations of up to 4,800 metres above sea level.

Despite being classified in the order Carnivora, the red panda is primarily herbivorous, with bamboo shoots making up the bulk of its diet. It also consumes fruits, insects, and small animals, particularly during warmer seasons.
A highly agile and acrobatic animal, the red panda is arboreal, spending much of its time in trees. Its sharp claws help it grip tree bark, and its bushy tail serves as a balancing tool. Red pandas are typically solitary, living in defined territories. They rarely form pairs or family groups.
The female red panda has a gestation period ranging from 112 to 158 days, after which she gives birth to up to four blind cubs, usually between late May and early July. A few days before giving birth, the female gathers nesting materials and typically nests in a secure tree hollow or rock crevice.

Red pandas are listed as Endangered, with estimates of between 2,500 to 10,000 mature individuals remaining in the wild. Their primary threats include habitat loss, hunting, and competition with domestic livestock for resources.

DNA evidence shows that the red panda is more closely related to raccoons than to giant pandas. It also has a unique adaptation—a "thumb" on each front paw, which helps it grasp bamboo. This thumb-like structure is used in combination with its palm pads to hold and manipulate bamboo while feeding.

At Fota Wildlife Park, red pandas are provided with locally grown bamboo, which is harvested fresh from Fota Island. Bamboo constitutes much of their diet, thriving in the mild climate of southeastern Cork.
The red pandas at Fota belong to the subspecies found in Nepal and India.