More red pandas recorded in Dhawalagiri’s Jaljala, Muna and Mareni areas – The Himalayan Times – Nepal’s No.1 English Daily Newspaper

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 3

A new survey has confirmed the presence of additional endangered red pandas in the Jaljala, Muna, and Mareni areas of Wards 2 and 3 of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality, Myagdi.

According to the Nepal Biodiversity Conservation Society (NBCS), camera traps installed in three locations captured red pandas in two of them. “The cameras were placed after spotting red panda droppings during a month-long field study. Our findings suggest that between six and twenty-five red pandas inhabit this region,” said Pawan Rai, Programme Officer at NBCS.

The study, conducted with local participation, covered areas including Khibang, Mudi, Archey, Dar, Takam, Bagar, Simkosh, Italy Base Camp, Mareni, Lulang, Gurjakhani, and Gurja Deurali.

Earlier, locals had captured photos and videos of red pandas in Gurjaghat of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (Ashoj 2080) and Bancharedanda of Dahapatal Community Forest, Muna (Mangsir 2081).

Red panda droppings were first recorded in Mareni in 2073 BS by researchers from the Red Panda Network and Himalayan Conservation Forum. The recent study was supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Hariyo Ban Programme.

Researcher Larisa Gautam noted that the growing red panda population could help promote local tourism and create income opportunities for nearby communities.

(With inputs from RSS)