The Definitive YouTube Top Ten

This has honestly been of the most difficult tasks I have ever faced. I haven’t climbed any mountains but I’d imagine that rating YouTube’s red panda videos is similar. Maybe not Everest, but I’d say of at least Kilimanjaro proportions.

For any smart arses out there who might mention a lack of oxygen when ascending to such altitudes, try hyperventilating after laughing for such a long succession of videos. Oh, you want to complain about your legs aching? Try having the muscles in your face hurt from grinning so much. Thankfully being such a well conditioned, experienced athlete in this particular field, recovery should take mere weeks. You? Just be grateful you haven’t had to endure such an arduous, traumatic journey and enjoy digesting the fruits of my labour instead...

10) "You win this time..."

9) When two Ronsils collide.

8) The only one made an Android App.

7) Just a baby bowlin'.

6) Think you can escape me? You better think again.

5) Perhaps the greatest solo performance ever seen.

4) Pandas + Alcohol = Adorable.

3) My only worry is that it appears to have an itchy head.

2) Revenge is a dish best served... Cute.

1) This truly has everything. It is the 'Citizen Kane' of panda videos.

Why Did The Red Panda Cross The Road?

A year on from my last intensive research session, little has changed in the world of red pandas. Still they are hunted for their fur, their tails used as good luck charms and their numbers continue to dwindle. Though predators such as snow leopards and martens provide the dangers in the wilderness, it is us humans who are forcing them to near extinction. In China, their population has halved in only fifty years.

 However, it is with great pleasure that I can confirm my findings of last year were no one-off. In addition to the household names such as Ronsil and Toy Pandas, there are various other new sub-species emerging across their Himalayan habitat. Whilst knowledge of these rare creatures remains at a premium, it has been hypothesized that this is a unique case of short-term evolution, giving these pandas the best possible to chance to survive against the overwhelming human onslaught. Here are eight of my latest discoveries.

 
Living in trios, Mime Pandas work in a similar fashion to their human counterparts. Here they can be seen performing the timeless glass pane routine, though scientists have yet to determine its precise purpose.

  Flying Panda can be seen here readying itself for vertical ascent. Though its legitimacy has been questioned, eyewitness reports have regaled various accounts of high speed, blurred red balls lighting up the Asian skies.

  These Charm Pandas are relatively great in number compared to their compatriots but have only one natural defence: Major, major cuteness.

  This here is Hypno Panda. Just stare into his eyes for thirty seconds, I dare you.

 
  Dancing Panda can be seen here getting its jig on to some Exodus era Bob Marley & The Wailers. Thus by shaking its thang, prospective predators are left dazed, confused and ultimately fruitless.

  Though this may look like two pandas snuggling in the snow, this is in fact the Siamese Panda. Tragic yet efficient, they make up for their slow speed by combining their brain power and out-witting potential tail bandits.

 

  Meerkat Pandas use only their hind legs for locomotion, and as the name suggests are the spotters of their conclaves. Upon glimpsing enemies, it emits high pitched squeaks to alert the rest of the group.

  At the merest hint of trouble, Monorail Panda will immediately find the nearest branch and slide its way to safety at velocities in excess of 25mph. There are fewer than fifty of these specimens in the wild.

Should you or any colleagues have any further information on these most special of animals, then please do not hesitate in contacting The RPC. The more data we can obtain, the better chance the likes of Monorail Panda will have in their ongoing arduous battle against extinction. Thank you.

Because Red Pandas are People Too

Though a relatively new phenomenon, the RPC can in fact be traced back to one snowy winter's day in December 2010.

So, what to do with a Saturday afternoon when football's been postponed and you've wasted £40 on a train ticket? I've done what most people would do: look at pictures of red pandas.

  Originating from Nepal and China, red pandas are nearing extinction due to deforestation and poaching. In China, it is believed that the wearing of a panda's tail as a hat by newlyweds will bring a long and fruitful marriage.

  And whilst divorces occur all over China and red pandas die for nothing, their habitat is being stripped down and their main food source of bamboo being taken away. However, my own in-depth research has led me to believe that red pandas are evolving at a fast, varied rate.

  In order to warn away would-be predators, they've begun to take on slightly different forms and develop in much the same way Pokemon found in and around the Solomon Islands have. New subspecies and genus have been spotted, advanced defence mechanisms sighted, and a new hope has lit the hearts of red panda lovers everywhere.

  Here we have Curious Panda. Similar to normal pandas, they instead choose to walk upright and thus confuse their enemies. Growing upto 3 feet tall, they are similar in size, stature and intelligence to their human predators and so are well camouflaged when escaping urban areas.

  Special Panda is a unique specimen in that it spends much of its time unsuccessfully trying to lick its ear. I would say that no one likes a special case and therefore it's safe, but that would be un-PC.

  Kung Fu Panda doesn't even need a black belt, you just look at his tail the wrong way and he'll kick your ass.

  The new Sloth Panda subspecies moves at only 1/10th the speed of normal pandas, and has extended claws much like their three toed counterparts. Sadly, sloths are hunted for "traditional" purposes too.

  Closely related to Sloth Panda, we have Sleepy Panda. Here you can see him preparing to play dead. It is believed that there are less than 400 in the wild.

  Like Ronsil, Rabid Panda does exactly what it says on the tin. Appearing angry, aggressive and various other adjectives, potential suitors are scared off before Ronsil returns to climbing trees, eating bamboo and generally being cool.

  Surprised Panda is one of my more recent finds. I am unsure of what their special powers are, apart from looking like Kevin from Roland Rat.

  Toy Panda is an incredibly rare case. By looking, acting and sounding exactly like a cuddly toy, it is therefore able to carry out its daily life freely and without fear of attack.

  Dammit Luton better go ahead on Thursday.