RED PANDA | हाब्रे (HABRE)
Red pandas are mostly herbivorous mammals of the order Carnivora, which are endemic to the Eastern Himalayas, between the heights of 2200 to 4500 meters, above sea level. They are evolutionary unique species as 83% of their diet consists of bamboo leaves and shoots, even though they evolved in from carnivore ancestors. Despite the name, they are not related to the Greater Panda of China but they did independently evolve similar features.
(Ailurus funges)
(Ailurus styani)
Red pandas live in broadleaf and coniferous or deciduous forests with high bamboo cover, high canopy cover and high bamboos.
Red panda is a solitary, crepuscular (active during early morning and late afternoon) and arboreal (mostly living in trees) animal. Being solitary, they only interact with each other in the breeding season. Female red pandas start having cubs as early 18 months old. They usually have one or two cubs, but sometimes up to four. Cubs stay with their mothers until they are one year old. They fully mature when they are two to three years old and have an average life span of eight to ten years.
It is important to conserve red pandas as they are an indicator species, this means that healthy population of red pandas are indicate the healthy ecosystem of the whole Himalayan region. It has also been a prime research interest for biologists due to its unique evolutionary characteristics, as well at it being the only extant member of the family Ailuridae.
Despite its ecological importance, red pandas have been facing various threats due to habitat degradation and fragmentation, poaching, illegal trade, attacks by stray dogs, tourism activities, grazing, harvesting of bamboo and forest products, and construction work.
Its world population is 10,000 and the population in Nepal is between 300 to 500. Due to its decreasing population, red panda has been on the IUCN Red List (list of threatened species) as endangered species since 2015. It is also included in the Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
– Panda gets its name from the Nepali word Poonya which means eater of the bamboos. Despite the popularity of the Giant Pandas, red pandas were the animals which got named first, and can be claimed as being the original panda.
– Red pandas use their long, bushy tails for protection and warmth
– Despite their main diet consisting of bamboos, red pandas cannot live in forests with just bamboos, as the bamboo trees cannot support their weight.
Our Research and Monitoring Program is at the heart of red panda conservation efforts in the region. By deepening our understanding of red pandas and their behavior, we can take more effective steps to ensure their survival in the wild.
Through regular field surveys, camera trapping, and habitat assessments, our team monitors red panda populations and tracks changes in their environment. This data not only provides insights into the health and movement of local populations but also helps identify threats such as habitat degradation, poaching, and climate change impacts.
Link examples of research and monitoring programs
The locals are the true guardians of the red panda
Our Youth for Red Panda program empowers local youth by raising awareness and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to protect endangered red pandas. The people who live alongside red pandas have a deep, time-honored understanding of their behavior and habitat, making them invaluable allies in conservation efforts.
By combining this rich local knowledge with modern conservation techniques such as SMART patrolling, GPS tracking, and wildlife photography—we train and mentor local youth to actively monitor and safeguard red panda habitats. Their passion and dedication make them ideal candidates to become “Guardians of the Red Panda,” playing a direct role in preserving their forests and wildlife.
This initiative not only strengthens red panda conservation at the grassroots level but also inspires the next generation to take pride in their environment and protect their natural heritage. With community involvement at its core, Youth for Red Panda program fosters long-term stewardship, ensuring red pandas continue to thrive for generations to come.
Link to examples (Can also put the above information in one link to shorten this page)
One link can be on Youth for Red Panda program and another on Guardians of the Red Panda
We raise awareness about the ecological importance of red pandas in local communities. This is very important as poaching due to both economic hardships and lack of knowledge, is a major reason for population decline.
Link to examples
The local and indigenous communities have the most knowledge about red pandas in their locality. That is why, we try to involve the local community by having them work are guardians in red panda habitat forests.
Link to examples
Many local people are forced to rely on poaching for economic reasons. BIOCOS aims to provide them with alternative livelihood options, including red panda-based tourism, Ecotourism targeted to red panda siting have been carried out for development in both tourism and conservation.
Link to examples
The establishment of protected areas have helped the conservation of red pandas to some extents. They have been reported in Rara National Park (RNP), Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP), Langtang National Park (LNP), Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) and Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP), Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA), Gaurishankar Conservation Area (GCA) and Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA). However, 70% of red panda habitat or potential habitat lies outside the protected areas. This has been an issue since the conservation issue outside protected areas is not as strong as inside protected areas. BIOCOS carries out most of its conservation activities outside these areas, where there is minimal government effort for them.
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