The first photographic record of the Red Panda Ailurus fulgens (Cuvier, 1825) from Lamjung District outside Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Ganesh Ghimire,Bishnu Thapa,Malcolm Pearch,Badri Baral,Rishi Baral

doi:10.11609/jott.4828.11.12.14576-14581

Abstract

In May and June, 2018, a series of field surveys was undertaken to determine the presence of the Red Panda Ailurus fulgens in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality in Lamjung District, western Nepal. A single, adult, Red Panda was photographed and recorded on video at Nafada Khola while scratch marks and distinctive scats provided evidence of Red Panda activity at eleven further localities at elevations between 3,150 and 3,650 m. Threats to the habitat of A. fulgens within the study area are discussed.

Highlights

Despite having extensive tracts of bamboo forest between 2,500 and 4,000 m, which is the species’ preferred habitat, Nepal is considered currently to support only 1.9% of the total global population of Red Pandas (Bista & Paudel 2014)
Marsyangdi Rural Municipality has nine wards, of which wards 5, 6, and 7 (Ghermu, Bahundanda, and Bhulbhule VDCs) lie outside Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) with the remainder of the wards being managed as part of the ACA
One adult Ailurus fulgens was sighted in the forested area of Nafada Khola (28.4380N & 84.5300E), Marsyangdi Rural Municipality Ward Number 7 (Bhulbhule) on 28 May 2018 at 07.00h. (Fig. 1, Image 1A)

Summary

Materials And Methods

Lamjung District is located in Gandaki Province in western Nepal. The district is located between 28.055–28.5100N and 84.189–84.1890E (Fig. 1) It has an elevation range of Figure 1. Study area in Marsyangdi Rural Municipality, Lamjung District, Nepal. 385–8,162m and covers an area of 1,692km (DDC 2011). Average air temperature ranges from a minimum of 15.50°C to a maximum of 27.17°C (DDC 2011). Marsyangdi Rural Municipality is the largest of the rural municipalities in Lamjung District and covers an area of 597.25km with a total population of 18,759 (CBS 2011). Marsyangdi Rural Municipality is characterised by subtropical, temperate, subalpine, alpine, and nival vegetation. Marsyangdi Rural Municipality has nine wards, of which wards 5, 6, and 7 (Ghermu, Bahundanda, and Bhulbhule VDCs) lie outside Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) with the remainder of the wards being managed as part of the ACA. Seasonal transhumance (the movement of cattle and herders between lower valleys in winter and higher pastures in summer) is commonplace within the study area

Methods

Results

Discussion