An assessment of human impacts on endangered red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) living in the Himalaya

Abstract

Anthropogenic factors play an important role in shaping the distribution of wildlife species and their habitats, and understanding the influence of human activities on endangered species can be key to improving conservation efforts as well as the implementation of national strategies for sustainable development. Here, we used species distribution modeling to assess human impacts on the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens) in high‐altitude regions of Nepal. We found that the distance to paths (tracks used by people and animals), livestock density, human population density, and annual mean temperature were the most important factors determining the habitat suitability for red pandas in Nepal. This is the first study that attempts to use comprehensive environmental and anthropogenic variables to predict habitat suitability for the red pandas at a national level. The suitable habitat identified by this study is important and could serve as a baseline for the development of conservation strategies for the red panda in Nepal.

Distribution and habitat attributes associated with the Himalayan red panda in the westernmost distribution range

“…This demonstrates the importance of bamboos as one of the fundamental parameters affecting red panda distribution (Dorji et al, 2011;Fox et al, 1996;Williams, 2004;Yonzon & Hunter, 1991b). This finding is similar to the findings of Thapa et al (2020), Panthi et al (2019), Thapa et al (2018), Sharma et al (2014), Pradhan et al (2001) and Yonzon & Hunter (1989). Besides bamboo species, other food such as seasonal fruiting berries contribute a very little proportion in food of the red pandas (Yonzon & Hunter, 1991b).…”

“…This elusive animal frequently uses specific latrine sites for defecation (Yonzon & Hunter, 1989). In Nepal, red panda presence has been documented from 24 districts and seven protected areas with potential habitat of 13,800 km 2 to 24,000 km 2 (Bista et al, 2017;Panthi et al, 2019;Thapa et al, 2020).…”

“…However, very few studies have discussed on red panda distribution and habitat use in the western range (Bhatta et al, 2014;Bista et al, 2019). Available studies have either covered western range in a small-scale (Bhatta et al, 2014) or covered it as a part of the large-scale study (Bista et al, 2019;Panthi et al, 2019;Smeraldo et al, 2020). Long-term conservation of red panda requires site-specific detailed information from this range.…”

Fine-scale landscape genetics unveiling contemporary asymmetric movement of red panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Kangchenjunga landscape, India

“…In India, the red panda is protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and most of its populations reside in small and isolated protected areas (< 500 sq. km), thereby increasing high risk of local extirpation of red pandas due to genetic inbreeding and loss of heterozygosity 15,[17][18][19] . Earlier studies available on red panda from KL-India have addressed population status, distribution, and abundance 11,20,21 , habitat preferences and diet composition 22,23 .…”

Improved Trapping and Handling of an Arboreal, Montane Mammal: Red Panda Ailurus fulgens

“…Their global population has declined by 50% in the last three generations [ 9 ]. Available studies have reported habitat loss and fragmentation as the major conservation challenges [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, most of these studies are based on sign surveys, and they have not attempted to examine how this threatened species responds to habitat loss, fragmentation, and disturbances.…”