Reliable and sufficient information regarding status, distribution and habitat preference of red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is lacking in Nepal. The research activities on red panda in the mid-western Nepal are very limited, so the status of red panda in the region is quite unknown. The study conducted during May, 2013 in three Village Development Committees (VDCs) namely Godhemahadev, Malikathata and Tamti of Jumla district was an important step for providing vital information including distribution and habitat preference of this species. The study included the reconnaissance, key informants survey, interviews and consultation for the most potential area identification, opportunistic survey comprising the direct observation and indirect sign count method for the presence and distribution, habitat assessment consisting vegetation sampling and ocular estimation. The study revealed the presence of red panda in three forests namely Bahirepatan, Imilchadamar and Tyakot of Godhemahadev, Tamti and Malikathata VDCs respectively. The species was found distributed between 2880 and 3244 m with an average dropping encounter rate of 1.04 per hour of searching effort and 12 pellets per dropping. Red panda mostly preferred the habitat in the elevation range of 2900 - 3000 m with southwest facing steep slopes (36? - 45?), associated with water sources at the distance of ≤100 m. Trees such as Acer spp., Betula utilis and Quercus semecarpifolia, shrub species of Elaeagnus parvifolia, Drepanostachyum spp. and Jasminum humile, and the herbs like Polygonatum cirrhifolium, Fragaria nubicola and Galium asperifolium were found to be the most preferred species by red panda. The red panda preferred the habitat with dense crown coverage (>20% - 100%) and 31% - 50% ground cover. Fallen logs (39%) were the most preferred substrate used for defecation.
The red panda (Ailurus fulgens), the sole representative species of the monotypic family Ailuridae, one among the two sub-species Ailurus fulgens fulgens and Ailurus fulgens styani [
Globally, red pandas are found throughout the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and China between 2200 and 4800 m altitude [
In Nepal, red pandas are distributed within a narrow elevation range between 2500 and 4200 m in the northern part of the country and are confirmed to occur in eight Protected Areas (PAs) including Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone (LNP and BZ) [
Jumla district is situated in Karnali zone of the mid-western development region with total area, 2531 km². The district is surrounded by Dolpa district in the east, Kalikot district in the west, Mugu district in the north and Jajarkot district in the south (
district is divided into nine forest Illakas, and 30 Village Development Committees (VDCs). The district can be accessed either through Surkhet-Jumla Karnali Public Highway (232 km) or via air service from Surkhet and Nepalgunj [
Three VDCs namely Godhemahadev, Malikathata and Tamti were selected for the study purpose and the detail study has been carried out in the Bahirepatan, Tyakot and Imilchadamar forests of Godhemahadev, Malikathata and Tamti VDCs respectively.
We conducted the reconnaissance including the interaction with various representative offices as the key informants comprising the District Forest Office (DFO), ranger posts, District Development Committee (DDC), and VDCs. Similarly, interactions with villagers, herders, village level conservation committee through consultation meeting and focused group discussions regarding presence and distribution of red panda further helped for the exploration and identification of the potential habitats of red panda in the study area. Meanwhile, pamphlets and photographs of red panda, their pellets, habitats, and their preferred foods were displayed during the reconnaissance. For getting representative and reliable information, opportunistic sampling strategy was adopted for the survey. Both direct and indirect methods of wildlife survey were applied in the field. However, indirect sign count method was significant throughout the study period. We have collected geo-referenced with hand-held Geological Positioning System (GPS) unit wherever we observed the direct and indirect signs of the species and Arc Geographical Information System (GIS) and Google earth were used to prepare distribution map.
Ivlev’s electivity index (IV) was used to analyze the habitat preference of red panda which includes various habitat parameters such as vegetation, slope, elevation, aspect, vegetation composition, cover and distance from nearest water sources. In addition, the value of index ranges from −1.0 to +1.0 where positive values implies preference, negative values refers avoidance and 0 values indicates random use. The formula developed by Ivlev [
Vegetation in any area indicates the habitat suitability and preference for the particular species that is core component for the habitat specialist like red panda. The detail vegetation analysis was carried out to determine the floral composition of the habitat. Quadrates of size 10 m × 10 m for tree layer (plant above 3 m height and 5 cm DBH), 4 m × 4 m for shrubs layer (woody plant below 3 m in height) and 1 m × 1 m for herbs layer (plants up to 1 m in height) were used in both habitat use plot (U) and habitat availability plots (A). The quadrates sizes were determined as suggested by Cottam [
Presence of red panda (locally known as “Nautoto”) was confirmed in three VDCs (Godhemahadev, Malikathata and Tamti) of Jumla district. Red panda signs (pellets) were observed in Bahirepatan, Tyakot and Imilchadamar forests of those three respective VDCs (
On 21st May 2013 (9:30 a.m.), one adult red panda was sighted in Tyakot forests of ward No. 9, Khopry, Malikathata VDC. The observed site (29˚08'36.7"N, 82˚02'04.0"E; 2894 m) was at southwest facing slope with 41˚ slope and at about 100 m from the nearest water source. The red panda observed at a distance of approximately 50 m was defecating at its latrine site, where freshest pellet group (about a minute after defecation) was seen above the old pellet layer. The red panda got disturbed due to presence of the observers and suddenly escaped from the site and disappeared in the bushes. The site was dominated by Abies spectabilis with Drepanostachyum falcatum understory.
Occasionally red pandas were also observed by local resident and herders in Dugurnedando, Chilaunepani and
Chada forest areas of Ghodemahadev VDC, Tyakot forest of Malikathata VDC and Imilchadamar forest of Tamti VDC. These forests are dominated by Abies spectabilis, Quercus semecarpifolia and Picea smithiana and bamboo understory.
Red panda’s droppings were found between 2880 and 3244 m altitude in the study area. Out of 28 pellet groups, 50% of them were recorded in the Tyakot forest of Malikathata VDC followed by 28.57% in Imilchadamar of Tamti and 21.43% in Bahirepatan of Godhemahadev. The red panda defecated at a particular site considered as latrine site, consisting of two or more droppings (pellets group) above the older one, however, the single dropping encountered in a plot was considered as the defecation site. In the studied plots, percentage of defecation site (85.71%) was higher than that of latrine site (14.29%). Single defecation site consisted of 7 to 18 pellets. However, average number of pellets per dropping in defecation site was 12. The number of pellets in the latrine sites could not be counted, due to higher number of broken and decayed pellets. Furthermore, an encounter rate of pellet group/hour searching effort was used as an index in order to quantify the abundance in the study area. The average droppings encounter rate in the studied forests was found to be 1.04 per hour of walk (searching effort), including highest in Tyakot forest of Malikathata VDC (1.56/hour searching effort) followed by Imilachdamar of Tamti VDC (0.89/hour searching effort) and Bahirepatan of Godhemahave VDC (0.67/hour of searching effort).
Evidences of red panda’s presence were observed between 2800 m and 3300 m elevation. Red panda highly preferred the altitudinal range of 2900 - 3000 m (IV = 0.20), moderately preferred the elevation of 3000 - 3100 m (IV = 0.17) followed by 3100 - 3200 m (IV = 0.14) and 2800 - 2900 m (IV = 0.09) and randomly used the altitude of 3200 - 3300 m. Red panda completely avoided the area below 2800 m and above 3300 m altitude with IV = −1.00 each (
Slope of the red panda habitat was classified according to slope category provided by Anbalagan and Singh [
slope (IV = 0.00, 21.43%) and avoided the gentle slope (IV = −0.05, 7.14%). However, red panda completely avoided very gentle slope (3.57%) (
Red panda mostly preferred southwest facing slopes (IV = 0.12, 44.64%), moderately preferred northwest facing slopes (IV = 0.07, 26.79%), and randomly used northeast facing slopes (IV = 0.00, 14.29%). However, red panda avoided Southeast facing slopes (IV = −0.50, 14.29%) in the area (
Red panda signs were found at the distance of 5 m to 350 m far from the nearest water sources in the study area. The species mostly preferred the distance £100 m (IV = 0.13) from the water sources followed by distance (101 - 200) m (IV = −0.08) whereas, it avoided the distance greater than 200 m (IV = −0.45), from nearest water sources (
The different substrates used by red panda for defecation were fallen logs, ground (forest floor), uprooted trees and rock cliffs. Fallen logs were mostly preferred for defecation (39%) followed by forest floor (25%), uprooted trees (25%) and rock cliffs (11%) (
1) Trees
Tree species were examined in 56 plots (28 habitat use plots and 28 habitat availability plots) each 10 m × 10 m in size. Out of nine tree species recorded, red panda showed higher preference to Acer spp. (IVI = 27.14; IV = 0.35) followed by Betula utilis (IVI = 26.91; IV = 0.24) and Quercus semecarpifolia (IVI = 55.29; IV = 0.13). Abies spectabilis (IVI = 54.85; IV = 0.00) was randomly used whereas Tsuga dumosa, Juglans regia, Picea smithiana and Pinus wallichiana were avoided by red panda (
2) Shrubs
Shrubs were examined in 56 plots (28 habitat use plots and 28 habitat availability plots) each of 4 m × 4 m area. A total of 19 shrub species found in the red panda habitat, eight species were preferred, two species were randomly used and remaining were avoided by red panda. Red panda highly preferred Elaeagnus parvifolia (IV = 0.40) followed by Drepanostachyum falcatum (IV = 0.10), Drepanostachyum intermedium (IV = 0.06) and Drepanostachyum Khasianum (IV = 0.04) whereas Ribes himalense (IV = 0.00) and Viburnum cotinifolium (IV = 0.00) were randomly used. However, shrubs like Coriaria nepalensi (IV = −1.00), Prinsepia utilis (IV = −0.42), Salix denticulate (IV = −0.41) and Rosa macrophylla (IV = −0.37) were highly avoided (
3) Herbs
Herbaceous plants were observed in 56 plots (28 habitat use plots and 28 habitat availability plots) each 1 m × 1 m in area. A total of 17 herbaceous plants were observed in these plots, eight of them were preferred by red panda. Polygonatum cirrhifolium (IV = 0.32) was most preferred species followed by Fragaria nubicola (IV =
S.N. | Scientific name | Family | Local name | IVI | IV | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Acer spp. | Aceraceae | Paalau | 27.14 | 0.35 | Preferred |
2 | Betula utilis | Betulaceae | Bhuje | 26.91 | 0.24 | Preferred |
3 | Quercus semecarpifolia | Fagaceae | Khasru | 55.29 | 0.13 | Preferred |
4 | Abies spectabilis | Pinaceae | Gobrya | 54.85 | 0 | Randomly Used |
5 | Pinus wallichiana | Pinaceae | Piu Sallo | 30.64 | −0.17 | Avoided |
6 | Picea smithiana | Pinaceae | Jhulya | 35.8 | −0.21 | Avoided |
7 | Rhododendron arboreum | Ericaceae | Guraunsh | 17.26 | −0.27 | Avoided |
8 | Juglans regia | Juglandaceae | Oakhar | 23.28 | −0.4 | Avoided |
9 | Tsuga dumosa | Pinaceae | Thigo | 28.84 | −0.52 | Avoided |
S.N. | Scientific name | Family | Local name | IV | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Elaeagnus parvifolia | Elaeagnaceae | Gunyalo | 0.4 | Preferred |
2 | Drepanostachyum falcatum | Poaceae | Malingo | 0.1 | Preferred |
3 | Drepanostachyum intermedium | Poaceae | Jurmutho | 0.06 | Preferred |
4 | Drepanostachyum khasianum | Poaceae | Deu Ningalo | 0.04 | Preferred |
5 | Jasminum humile | Oleaceae | Kali Sanguto | 0.04 | Preferred |
6 | Rubus biflorus | Rosaceae | Aainselu | 0.03 | Preferred |
7 | Cotoneaster microphyllus | Rosaceae | Ghungyaru | 0.02 | Preferred |
8 | Cotoneaster affinis | Rosaceae | Raisya | 0.01 | Preferred |
9 | Ribes himalense | Grossulariaceae | Pangro | 0 | Randomly Used |
10 | Viburnum cotinifolium | Sambucaceae | Banchhudo | 0 | Randomly Used |
11 | Philadelphus tomentosus | Hydrangeaceae | NA | −0.16 | Avoided |
12 | Sabia campanulata | Sabiaceae | NA | −0.25 | Avoided |
13 | Berberis aristata | Berberidaceae | Chutto | −0.27 | Avoided |
14 | Unidentified | NA | Pitaielo | −0.28 | Avoided |
15 | Unidentified | NA | Chellelya | −0.3 | Avoided |
16 | Rosa macrophylla | Rosaceae | Kuiyeshi | −0.37 | Avoided |
17 | Salix denticulata | Salicaceae | Baish | −0.41 | Avoided |
18 | Prinsepia utilis | Rosaceae | Dhatenlo | −0.42 | Avoided |
19 | Coriaria nepalensis | Coriariaceae | Machaino | −1 | Avoided |
NA = not available.
0.27) and Galium asperifolium (IV = 0.22) whereas Hemiphragma heterophyllum (IV = −1.00) and Urtica dioica (IV = −1.00) were the most avoided herbaceous plant species including Artemisia dubia (IV = −0.29) (
1) Crown cover
Red panda preferred the dense coverage (IV = 0.28) only. A red panda observed during the field work was also in the dense crown coverage category. All other cover classes found in the area i.e. sparse (IV = −1.00), open (IV = −0.50) and moderate (IV = −0.47) were found to be avoided by the species (
S.N. | Scientific name | Family | Local name | IV | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Polygonatum cirrhifolium | Liliaceae | Khiraunle | 0.32 | Preferred |
2 | Fragaria nubicola | Rosaceae | Bhui Kafal | 0.27 | Preferred |
3 | Galium asperifolium | Rubiaceae | chittu | 0.22 | Preferred |
4 | Rumex nepalensis | Polygonaceae | Halhale | 0.16 | Preferred |
5 | Unidentified | NA | Thatar | 0.16 | preferred |
6 | Ajuga lupulina | Labiateae | Bhugelo | 0.07 | Preferred |
7 | Dryopteris sp. | Dryopteridaceae | Wunniu | 0.07 | Preferred |
8 | Asparagus filicinus | Liliaceae | Kudilo | 0.02 | Preferred |
9 | Thalictrum foliolosum | Ranunculaceae | Bansuli | −0.03 | Avoided |
10 | Cirsium verutum | Compositae | Thakailo | −0.05 | Avoided |
11 | Pleurospermum dentatum | Umbelliferae | Gunaino | −0.09 | Avoided |
12 | Girardinia diversifolia | Urticaceae | Allo/Thulo Sisnu | −0.09 | Avoided |
13 | Unidentified | NA | Bina | −0.14 | Avoided |
14 | Lycopodium clavatum | Lycopodiaceae | Ralo | −0.23 | Avoided |
15 | Artemisia dubia | Compositae | Titepati | −0.29 | Avoided |
16 | Hemiphragma heterophyllum | Scrophulariaceae | Nas Jhar | −1 | Avoided |
17 | Urtica dioica | Urticaceae | Sisnu | −1 | Avoided |
NA = not available.
2) Ground cover
Red panda highly preferred 31% - 50% ground cover (IV = 0.09) followed by 51% - 100% ground cover (IV = 0.05). A red panda observed during the field work was in the 31% - 50% ground coverage category. Red panda completely avoided £10% ground cover (IV = −1.00) and moderately avoided 11% - 30% cover class (IV = −0.20) (
The occurrence of red panda was found only between 2800 and 3300 m elevation in the study area, whereas it was found between 3000 and 4000 m in LNP [
3600 m in the Singhalila National Park Darjeeling, India [
One adult red panda was sighted in Tyakot forest (29˚08'36.7"N, 82˚02'04.0"E; 2894 m) on southwest facing slope; similar observations were also made by Sharma and Belant [
Yonzon [
Red pandas are known to be habitat specialists, maintain a small home range, and are restricted to small pockets of microhabitat [
Red panda mostly preferred the steep slopes followed by escarpments/cliffs. Most of the pellet groups were recorded in the steep slope (IV = 0.14, 37.50%) whereas least in the very gentle slope (IV = −1.00, 3.57%). This might be to avoid the competition with the livestock; the very gentle and gentle slopes were mostly used by livestock for grazing in the study area. The signs of red panda presence were recorded mostly in the southwest facing slopes (44.64%) followed by northwest facing slopes (26.79%) indicating that southwest and northwest facing slopes are preferred slope of red panda. This might be due to the presence of habitat requisites specifically food availability for red panda. Our findings are similar to those of Karki [
The study in Langtang National Park, Nepal by Yonzon and Hunter [
As high as 39% of pellet groups were found on fallen logs followed by forest floor and uprooted tree with 25% each and 11% on the rock cliff. In contrary to this, Pradhan et al. [
The habitat of red panda is associated with the occurrence of subtropical and temperate forests with exceptional case in tropical forest of Meghalaya in India [
The preferred habitat of red panda in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve was dominated by Abies spectabilis, Rhododendron campanulatum, Betula utilis, Juniperus indica and Arundinaria spp. [
Out of 19 shrubs recorded in the study area, red panda preferred only eight species. Red panda highly preferred Elaeagnus parvifolia and Drepanostachyum spp. Red panda was found eating the leaves of both species of bamboo, Arundinaria maling and A. aristata predominantly present as understory in Singhalila National Park [
Canopy coverage is the important habitat component in the red panda habitat and it prefers forest with greater canopy cover [
Red panda preferred ³31% - 100% ground coverage, however avoided the ground coverage £30%, probably it used dense ground cover for hiding and movements. Panthi [
Although red panda is a carnivore, it is used to pure herbivore diet, primarily consisting of leaves and shoots of bamboo species. Its other dietary includes berries, fruits, mushrooms, acorns and lichens [
The study revealed the presence of red panda in the Bahirepatan, Tyakot and Imilchadamar forests of Godhemahadev, Malikathata and Tamti VDCs respectively. The evidences (pellet groups) of red panda found distributed from the elevation of 2880 m to 3244 m.
Red panda mostly preferred the habitat in the elevation range from 2900 to 3000 m with southwest facing steep slopes (36˚ - 45˚), associated with water availability (at distance ≤100 m). In addition, red panda mostly preferred the tree species of Acer spp., Betula utilis and Quercus semecarpifolia, shrub species of Elaeagnus parvifolia, Drepanostachyum spp. and Jasminum humile, and herbaceous of Polygonatum cirrhifolium, Fragaria nubicola and Galium asperifolium. The red panda preferred the habitat with dense crown coverage (>20% - 100%) and 31% - 50% ground cover. Moreover, fallen logs (39%) were mostly preferred to use by red panda for defecation.
We are highly grateful to Red Panda Network (RPN) for financial and equipment support to conduct this study. We are obliged to College of Applied Sciences-Nepal (CAS), Nepal government’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Department of Forest (DoF) and District Forest Office (DFO), Jumla for permitting to carry out this study in Jumla district. We are thankful to Mr. Badri Baral for his tireless effort and co-operation throughout the field survey, and to the field guide Mr. Bir B. Rawat, Mr. Padam Budha and Mr. Rabi Thapa and all the local people, respondents, herders and hotel owners for their support and friendly behavior during the field survey.