Picture of my hand-made book by me

As my 6th-grade school year comes to an end, I wanted to share with you the biggest project we have done this year. This year, we read the book Squirm, by Carl Hiaasen, we learnt about the importance of wildlife preservation. When Billy and his mom visit Billy’s dad in Montana, Billy figures out his dad try’s to prevent animal poaching. Billy, his dad, and his step sibling Summer go on a cutting edge journey to save the Grizzly Bears and the Florida Panthers. The book navigates themes like family conflicts, wildlife preservation, and sticking up for those in need. If you want to find out more about the book, be sure to read Squirm, By Carl Hiaasen.

After finishing the book, we were thrilled to find out we had the opportunity to spread awareness about an endangered animal of our choice, as Billy and his dad did similarly in Squirm. The animal I chose to raise awareness about was the Red Panda. Located in the Himalayan’s, the red panda is quickly going extinct, due to multiple factors. Some of them include poaching (like in Squirm), habitat loss, and climate change. In the end of the blog, I will include the story I wrote as if I were a red panda fearing for their future. It is up to us to make sure beautiful creatures like the red panda, and so many more don’t go extinct. You can help the red pandas by donating to a red panda organization, stop purchasing bamboo products to prevent habitat loss, and leaving a smaller carbon footprint on the earth to help prevent further climate change.

In addition to writing about our endangered animal, we got to tackle the issue through an artistic approach, making colorful and eye-catching books to showcase to our school! We worked with local artist Peg Gignoux to make hand-made books containing our story, colorful elements, and a pop-up section in the middle adding depth to the book. (Literally and figuratively) we used cut-outs of paper we painted prior to bring our animal to life. By creating these abstract yet simplistic books, we raise awareness in a physical aspect. By using different shades of green and oranges, I created a vibrant, hand-made book with a saddened red panda in the center. Below this, is my red panda story. I hope you enjoy!

The Resultant of the Red Panda

By Trisha

I move between branches, both nimble and swift,

escaping the ashes of the fire I’m amidst.

Smoke fills my lungs as I struggle to breathe,

my eyes burn and wince from the flames gaining speed…

‘Twas November of 2020. I lived in Nepal. 

I felt a breeze through my fur, as I watched the leaves fall.

I feast on bamboo, acorns, and leaves, 

I also eat roots, and do love berries. 

Though I do live alone, for most of the time,

high altitude I call home, leaping to branches nearby.

I am known for my patterns and dashing red coat.

I am related to raccoons, though that’s not worth to boast.

Know who I am? I gave you a hint…

It’s me, the red panda! Or Ailurus fulgens.

During the day, you’ll find me asleep for 17 hours!!!

It helps with my energy, like a superpower.

If I disappear for good, the ecosystem won’t stay quiet.

Since I make up a substantial portion of the snow leopard’s diet!

If I were to die, bamboo would overgrow.

This leads to other plants taking a pretty big blow.

Bamboo would steal nutrients from the soil plants need, 

leading to fewer of those plants we would see.

As cute as I may seem, I matter a lot,

don’t underestimate me, or I’ll squeak and I’ll squawk!

Though I must look out for leopards I meet,

‘cause if I’m not careful, I’ll become their next feast!

In addition to ensuring they don’t come any closer, 

I must keep an eye out for hunters and poachers. 

My species is disappearing at the hands of mankind.

They kill us for pleasure and clothing sometimes. 

How would they like it, if I wore their leg, 

or used their arm as a scarf, or bragged ’bout their death to my friends? 

Humans destroyed our homes, chopped down our trees,

days became hotter, as global warming increased. 

Stray dogs came across, carrying diseases along,

we became sick from infection, our suffering prolonged.

Our immune system weak, unable to fight,

we died not long after. No happy ending in sight. 

I thought I was safe but today it all changed.

After what I see coming, nothing will stay the same.

My forest burns down as thick smoke fills the air. 

I look around at the ruins with bottomless despair. 

With global warming on the rise, rain becomes rare,

less water causes drought, which leads to fire starting flares. 

I speed through charred trees, dodging the flames, 

eventually I lose speed. Stationary, I became.

There is nowhere to go, no exit in sight,

sky’s bright as day became dark as midnight.

This was the end, indefinite death,

dealing with the shambles that humans have left.

I look around one last time, at what has become of my fate,

before entering a sleep, from which I’ll never awake. 

Our story mustn’t end here, at the hands of pollution, 

because with your help, there is sure to be a solution.

Here are some ways to prevent further death,

In your hands lie our fate, ‘tis up to you to do the rest…

Don’t buy furniture made out of bamboo,

Or they’d have to chop down my home, the only home I ever knew.

Also please do, try to recycle,

simple acts like that make us red pandas smile.

Be sure to tell your friends, share this story near and far,

they could help too!  Any help is a start.

If possible for you, be sure to donate.

Donations both big and small can go a long way.

Save us, red pandas! Do what was told to do.

If we somehow survive, it was all because of you.