Presentation

on Red Panda
(Ailurus fulgens)

By:
Jagriti Lamichhane Ankit Khatiwada
Rollno.28 Roll no.8
 Table of content
1. Introduction
2. Taxonomic classification
3. Habitat
4. Distribution
5. Food
6. Growing up
7. Hiding or showing
8. Cooperative behavior
9. Avoidance
10. Warning signs
11. Predation
12. Threats
13. Conservation
 Introduction
Scientific Name:-Ailurus fulgens
IUCN Category: Endangered

• The red panda also known as lesser panda is a small mammal

native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It's known
for its vibrant reddish-brown fur, bushy tail, and cute round face.
They're about the size of a house cat, but with a long tail that helps
them balance in trees.
• Red pandas are solitary creatures, except during mating season.
They're mostly active during the cooler hours of the day and night.
(dawn and dusk).
• They are legally protected in India, Bhutan, China, Nepal and
Myanmar.
 TAXONOMIC
INFORMATION
• Kingdom:Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Order:Carnivora
• Family:Ailuridae
• Genus:Ailurus
• Species:A. fulgens
 Habitat & ecological niche
• Red pandas are primarily found in the temperate
forests of the eastern Himalayas and southwestern
China. These forests are filled with lush vegetation,
including bamboo, which happens to be the red
panda's favorite food!

• They are well-adapted to their habitat, with their

thick reddish-brown fur providing camouflage
among the trees. Red pandas are excellent
climbers and spend most of their time in the trees,
using their long, bushy tails for balance.

• Their habitat is crucial for their survival, as it

provides them with food, shelter, and protection.
However, due to deforestation and habitat loss, red
pandas are facing challenges in maintaining their
populations.
 DISTRIBUTION IN NEPAL
The Himalayan red panda habitat is
currently distributed across eastern and
western Nepal. Red panda signs were
recorded in the elevation range between
2200 and 4800m with an average of
3200m. Red pandas are found in Langtang
NP, Makalu Barun NP, Sagarmatha
NP,Kanchanjunga CA, Manaslu CA, Rara
NP and Dhorpatan HR.
In five major districts:Rasuwa, Myagdi,
Baglung, Nuwakot and Dhading, red
pandas;total 132 indirect signs and three
direct sightings have been noted(2017).
 FOODING OF RED
PANDA
• As herbivores, red pandas primarily feed on bamboo,
consuming large quantities of it each day. This diet makes
them important for regulating bamboo populations and
promoting new growth. They are primarily herbivores,
munching on bamboo, fruits, and leaves. They're also
skilled climbers, spending most of their time in trees. They
have a unique adaptation - a modified wrist bone that acts
like a thumb, helping them grasp bamboo stems and
leaves.

• Additionally, red pandas have a unique adaptation in their

diet. They possess a "false thumb," which is actually an
elongated wrist bone that helps them grip bamboo stems
and leaves with precision.
Apart from bamboo, red pandas also eat fruits,
berries, and occasionally insects. By consuming these
different food sources, they contribute to the
dispersal of seeds and the maintenance of plant
diversity in their habitat.

Red pandas are also known to have a low metabolic

rate, which helps them conserve energy in their
mountainous habitat where resources can be scarce.
They are mostly active during dawn and dusk,
spending the rest of their time resting and conserving
energy.

Overall, red pandas have a specialized ecological niche

as bamboo specialists and important members of
their forest ecosystem. Their unique adaptations and
feeding habits make them a valuable part of the
natural world.
 Growing up
• Red pandas are born after a gestation period of about 112 to 158
days. They are completely dependent on their mother for survival
during the first few weeks.
• As they grow, their eyes open at around 18 to 20 days, and they start
to develop their signature reddish-brown fur. At around three months
old, they begin to venture out of the nest and explore their
surroundings, learning important skills such as climbing and foraging.
• By six months of age, they are usually independent and can take care
of themselves.
• When red pandas are young, they primarily feed on their mother's
milk. Like many mammals, red panda mothers produce milk that
provides all the necessary nutrients for their growing cubs. As the
cubs get older and start to explore their surroundings, they gradually
transition to solid foods. Their diet consists mainly of bamboo, which
makes up about 95% of their diet. They also eat fruits, berries, leaves,
and occasionally insects and small mammals.
 HIDING OF RED PANDA
Red pandas are known for their elusive nature and
their ability to hide in their forested habitats. They
are skilled climbers and spend most of their time in
the trees, where their reddish-brown fur helps them
blend in with the surrounding foliage(camouflage).
When they feel threatened or need to rest, they may
curl up in a tree hollow or dense vegetation to
further conceal themselves.
Co-operative Behaviour
• Red pandas are generally solitary animals, meaning they prefer to live alone
rather than in groups.
• However, they do exhibit some cooperative behaviors, especially during mating
and raising their young.
• During the breeding season, male and female red pandas engage in courtship
rituals and form temporary pairs.
• Once the female gives birth to cubs, both parents take turns caring for and raising
the young. This cooperative parenting helps ensure the survival and well-being of
the cubs.
• While red pandas may not engage in extensive cooperative behaviors like some
other animals, their cooperative efforts in reproduction and parenting are
essential for the success of their species.
 Avoidance
• Red pandas are typically found in the mountainous regions of
the Eastern Himalayas, where they inhabit temperate forests
with dense vegetation.
• While they don't have specific places they actively avoid,
there are certain areas that are less suitable for their survival.
• For example, red pandas tend to avoid areas with a high
human presence or heavy disturbance, as they prefer quieter
and more secluded environments.
• They are also not commonly found in open grasslands or
areas with sparse tree cover. Their preference for forested
habitats helps provide them with the necessary resources,
such as food and shelter, while offering protection from
potential predators.
Warning Signs & Fighting back
• Red pandas communicate through a variety of behaviors and
vocalizations to convey different messages. When they feel
threatened or agitated, they may display warning signs such as
hissing, growling, or even standing on their hind legs to appear larger
and intimidate potential predators.
• They may also flick their tails or arch their backs as a defensive
posture. Additionally, red pandas have scent glands on their tails,
which they use to mark their territories and communicate with other
red pandas. While they are generally docile and shy creatures, these
warning signs serve as a means of self-defense and protection.
 Predation
• Red pandas have a few natural predators, including
snow leopards, martens, and domestic dogs.
• Snow leopards are the primary predator of red pandas
in their native habitat. - Martens, which are small
carnivorous mammals, are also known to prey on red
pandas.
• Domestic dogs can pose a threat to red pandas when
they come into contact with human settlements.
• Red pandas have developed adaptations to help them
avoid predation, such as their climbing abilities and
camouflage.
• Their arboreal lifestyle, spending most of their time in
trees, helps protect them from ground-dwelling
predators.
 THREATS OF RED PANDA
The global red panda population has declined by 50%in 20 years and there may be as few
as 2500 remaining in the wild.
• Habitat loss is the #1 threat.
Rapid human population growth in the Eastern Himalayas is causing deforestation and
fragmentation of red panda habitat.In Nepal, 70% of habitat in lies outside of protected
areas and is fragmented into 400 small forest patches.
• Livestock Herding
Herders cut down trees to maintain sheds and collect fuelwood from the forest.
• Free roaming dogs and diseases
They contribute to red panda mortality. Dogs can also spread seven speciesof
gastrointentinal parasites to red pandas. The canine distemper virus which is highly
infectious and always fatal to red pandas;is thread.
• Poaching and Illegal Trade
We have little information on who the black market suppliers are and where these red
pandas are being exported to.
 TRADITIONAL THREAT
• Even Shamans of the Northern Magar tribe in
the Dhaulagiri Region of Western Nepal use the
skin and fur of red panda in their ritual dress
because they consider the Red panda to be a
protected animal which guards the wearer
against the attacks of aggressive spirits.
However, the belief is not found to be practiced
presently.
 CONSERVATION OF RED PANDA
• Red pandas are flagship species.
• In context of Nepal Red Panda network is actively working in the
conservation of these species of Ailuridia .
• Mr.Sonam Tashi Lama is the active man in the conservation of red panda
in Nepal.
• Planting the bamboos in their habitat can lead to the conservation of red
pandas .
• Awareness program has been a great solution to this problem while the
local peoples also need to be involve in the conservation.
• Protecting Red Panda habitat and stop poaching is a key to conserve this
endangered species.
• Awareness campaigns have been organized in Langtang National Park,
more importantly women have been made aware about protecting habre.
 Establishment of protected areas in mountain region of
Nepal is contributing to red panda conservation to some
extent.
Community based conservation initiatives have also
been ensured through the buffer zone program in Rara
NP, DHR ,LNP, SNP, MBNP.
The first national red panda survey was conductedin
Red panda in Jawalakhel
2016 which is the only study carried out at national level
Zoo
in the entire distribution range.
This study provided the baseline scenario on red panda
distribution and habitat status in Nepal which will be
critical for taking conservation effort forward in the
country.
Reference
• https://dnpwc.gov.np
• https://redpandanetwork.org
• https://enwikipedia.org/wiki/redpanda
• https://nationalzoo.si.edu./animals/redpanda
Thank you