A DARING Southside man is taking on a hair-raising aerobatic wingwalking challenge in a bid to help endangereed animals .
Jason Phelan of Drimnagh will be strapped to the top of the wing of a 1930s Boeing Stearman travelling at over 130km.
The young man has agreed to the death-defying stunt in support of the Red Panda Network (RPN) who are based in the USA and Nepal.
Over the past few weeks and months Jason has been working with the RPN to look at ways to raise awareness of their cause and to fundraise.
It is to ensure the sustainability of the work they do in Nepal, for the survival of wild red pandas in preserving their natural habitat for future generations.
The global red panda population has declined by 50 per cent over the last 20 years and there may be as few as 2,500 remaining in the wild.
Almost 50 per cent of the red panda’s habitat is in the Eastern Himalayas.
The loss of nesting trees and bamboo is causing a decline in red panda populations across much of their range because their forest home is being cleared.
Red pandas are often killed when they get caught in traps meant for other animals such as wild pigs and deer. They are also poached for their distinctive pelts in China and Myanmar. Red panda fur caps and hats have been found for sale in Bhutan.
Red Panda Network is committed to the conservation of wild red pandas and their natural habitat through the education and empowerment of local communities.
Jason said he would would like to thank Millennium Promotions Ltd who are title sponsor for the event, which means all funds raised go directly to the RPN.
With several exciting details of how Jason’s challenge will progress over the coming months, he has set up a dedicated Facebook page to promote the challenge and post regular news and updates on the progress of this high-flying challenge.
