Ecology of the red panda Ailurus fulgens in the Singhalila National Park, Darjeeling, India

Abstract

Red panda, Ailurus fulgens is a poorly known Himalayan member of Carnivora which has adapted to a herbivorous diet. The present study conducted in the Singhalila National Park in the eastern Himalayas was initiated to gain information on the ecology and conservation problems of the red panda. Indirect and direct evidence was used to assess its distribution, relative abundance, habitat use and food habits in the National Park. Red panda was relatively more abundant within an altitudinal range of 2800–3600 m. In study sites 1 and 2, it had a very narrow preferred range of 2800–3100 m. Higher bamboo cover, bamboo height and canopy cover emerged as important habitat components in sites used by red panda (Animal centered plots) compared to random plots. Red panda diet consisted chiefly of bamboo leaves and both species of bamboo, Arundinaria maling and A. aristata predominantly present as understorey in Singhalila National Park were eaten. The diet of bamboo was supplemented by seasonal fruits and bamboo shoots. However, the composition of diet differed between the three study sites and the impact of this, if any, on the overall ecology of red panda in the Singhalila National Park, needs further investigation. Some conservation problems are discussed.