Estimates of the current wild red panda population range from less than 10,000 to around 16,500 individuals worldwide. The most commonly cited figure is that there are fewer than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund and other conservation sources

. Earlier estimates from around 2015 suggested numbers between 14,500 and 16,500, but more recent data indicate a decline, with a 40% population decrease over the past two decades reported by researchers

. Red pandas are found mainly in five countries with suitable mountainous and high-altitude forest habitats: China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Most red pandas live in China and India, with smaller populations in the other countries

. Their habitat covers about 47,100 km² in total across these regions

. The species is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), facing threats from habitat loss, poaching, and fragmentation. Conservation efforts are ongoing in these countries to protect and stabilize red panda populations

. In summary:

• Estimated wild population: fewer than 10,000 to about 16,500 individuals worldwide
• Main countries: China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar
• Conservation status: Endangered
• Population trend: Declining, with a 40% drop over 20 years

These figures highlight the critical need for continued conservation efforts to prevent red pandas from becoming extinct in the wild