Threats and Conservation of Red Panda in Nepal and their Socio-economic Impacts in the Local Community

Red panda, Ailurus fulgens is a unique animal of carnivora family with a single species and probably of monotypic family. Although they are found from Mugu to Ilam district in Nepal inside eight different protected areas and one community forest, the total population is yet not known. Their preferred habitat is the bamboo-dominated vegetation of evergreen deciduous forest within an altitudinal range of 2,400 m to 3,600 m with abundant fallen logs and tree stumps. The diet comprises 54-100% of bamboo leaves with others like bamboos shoots, Sorbus fruits and mushroom depending upon the seasons. This low-quality diet makes them active day and night making vulnerable to different anthropogenic factors and predators. Habitat fragmentation, deforestation, poaching, over grazing, exploitation of forest resources, feral dogs and other human disturbances are the major threats. National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973 tries to protect red panda along with its habitat. A community-based conservation approach is also being practiced in Choyatar Community Forest, Ilam. Only Langtang National Park has a specific conservation plan for red panda. As the species is vulnerable to extinction with the low population density a focused conservation and management plan should be formulated and implemented with the active participation of local people.