Browsing by Subject "Red Panda"
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Item An Analysis of Food Habits and Conservation of Red Panda (Ailurus Fulgens Cuvier, 1825) in Langtang National Park, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2010) Thapa, ArjunThis study onfood habits andconservation threatsof red panda Ailurus fulgensinthe Langtang National Park, was carried outbetween March 2009 toMarch 2010and was mainly centered onexamining diet composition, food niche breadth and conservation threats. Three sites were chosen for the study, which wereGopache,Dhokachet and Trisuli-Originof Cholangpati-Dhokachet areas.Thisstudy includedreconnaissance survey for specific siteselection, altitudinal line intercept methodfor faecal samplecollectionanddung encounter,whereasmicro-histological techniquewas used to examine the seasonal diet compositionand niche breadth of the red panda. Conservation threats of animal were analyzedthrough semi-structured questionnairesand interviews with local people and also throughcattle dung encounter rate and grazing intensity. A total of 12 altitudinalline interceptswerelaid in three sites at theelevations of 3000m-3600m with verticallinesat theinterval of 150 m.A total of 161fecal sampleswere examinedusingmicro-histologicalanalysis.Results showed thatthe red panda’s diet composed ofeightdifferent plantsincluding bamboo, tree, herbs, shrubs and moss. They wereThamnocalamus aristatus, Sorbus cuspidata, moss, Juniper recurva, Acer caudatum, Rhododendron campanulatum,Abies spectabilis,andRubus sp.Itsdiet consistedof Thamnocalamus aristatus(mean=245.08±15.74%) inhighest proportion,followed by Moss (mean=5.91±1.95%), S. cuspidata (mean=5.83±1.22%), J. recurva(mean=1.08±071.95%), A. caudatum(mean=1.00±0.38%), andsomeothersinalow proportion (all<1). Statistically,T. aristatuswas consumed in all seasonsthat was insignificant (2> 0.001, df =11, P>0.05),where as other foodsvaried seasonally.Niche breadthdeterminationofred panda was 0.000104, which was quite low that resembledits high selectiveness in forage.Unidentified hairs, bonesand claws were observed in the few faecal samples. Livestock pressure, speciallytheChauri caused major threatstothered pandasalong with the fire woodandfodder collection. Dhokachet siteof Cholang-Dhokachet wasfoundwithhighest grazing intensity withahigher dung encounter rate(mean=34.19/km),followed by Gopche (mean=24.49/km) and Trisuli (mean=9.6/km).Also the line of regression(r2=0.491) showedthere wasa decreaseinfecal pellet encounter rate correspondingcattle dung encounter rate.Item Distribution and Conservation Status of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2008) Kandel, Ram NathA survey of Red Panda was carried out in three blocks namely Barse, Fagune andSurtibang of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) to establish baseline information ofthis species from March-May, 2007. The distribution of Red Panda was assessedthrough informal discussions with local people, herders and reserve staff followed bythe dropping survey. Vegetation analysis was done by using square quadrats of 10×10m 2 for trees and 4×4 m 2 for shrubs to determine Important Value Index. The study revealed the clumped type distribution pattern of Red Panda which wasaffected by different factors like presence of Arundinaria spp., north facing slope,water source availability, habitat condition, human activities, and livestock grazing.Altogether four Red Pandas were noticed and were identical in morphologicalcharacters. A correlation analysis of combined data on the distribution of Panda faecalpellets with elevation up to certain limit showed positive correlation. In the range of3,200 to 3,500 m, the droppings of the Red Panda were more common than above orbelow the range whereAbies, Rhododendron, BetulaandArundinariawere dominant.Red Panda most prefer northwest facing slope in the range 30 0 –40 0 during the studyperiod. A chi-square test performed showed that slope aspect differs with thedistribution pattern of Red Panda. Because of the violence and insurgency, themanagement offices and check posts were transferred to the urban area. Illegal felling,looping, hunting, poaching and over exploitation were common during the studyperiod. About 160 traps were collected and hand over to the Reserve officials.Occasional death of Red Panda was also recorded in Dharkharka of Barse block.Summer huts for livestock was one of the main threats for the conservation of RedPanda in DHR. Key Words:-Red Panda, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Distribution, Conservationthreats,Livestock grazing, Poaching.Item Distribution and Habitat Use of Red Panda (Ailurus Fulgens Cuvier 1825) in Eastern Nepal(Central Department of Zoology, 2009) Kandel, KamalRed panda (Ailurus fulgens), a habitat specialist of Himalaya, were studied in Hangetham and Choyatar CF of Eastern Nepal. Altogether 10 transects summing to 18.7km were established along with 187 systematic and 28 sign plots comprising of 3 units (10x10m 2 , 5x5m 2 and 1x1m 2 ). The fecal groups of red panda was found in 6.91% (n=13) of the systematic plots. The evidences were scattered from 2200m to 2900m asl in the study area with index of sign abundance in between altitudinal range of 2700-2900m asl (42.85/ha / 12.14/km). Red panda used trees as defecation sites (substrate) most frequently (44.05%) followed by rock (33.33%), forest floor (11.90%), fallen logs (9.52%) and cut stumps (1.20%) and differed significantly (χ 2 = 53.97, df=4, p<0.05). Availability of water source (mean=40.17±6.53m) differed significantly within its different categories (χ = 1.1.83, df=4, p<0.05), as 61.90% of fecal groups were found 0-25m away from sign centered plots. Red panda used steep slopes of 40 0 more often (76.19%) and northern faces. More fecal groups (36.90% and 46.43%) were found in 26-50% range of overstory crown canopy and understory bamboo cover. Mann-Whitney U test showed six habitat variables (slope, bamboo cover, bamboo height, bamboo diameter, proportion of dry bamboo shoots, and shrub density) differed significantly (P<0.05) between systematic and red panda sign plots and therefore are important elements of the red panda habitat. Three individuals of red panda were sighted in two sighting incidents during the study. A carcass of red panda was also found which was supposed to be predated upon by Mountain Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus nipalensis). Inadequate species level awareness in the local community about red panda’s ecological importance and high dependency on its habitat for people’s livelihood is creating its survival pressure. For effective conservation of this species, it requires not only the considerations of red panda but also the wellbeing of dependent local community. Furthermore, it is needed the intense research on its spatial distribution, specific habitat requirements and threats on broader scale. Keywords: Red Panda, Community Forest, Eastern Nepal, distribution, conservationItem Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Red Panda ( Ailurus Fulgens Fulgens Cuvier, 1825) In Rara National Park, Mugu, Nepal(Central Department of Zoology Institute of Science and Technology Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu, 2015) Shrestha, Chandra Kaji PanThe present study has been carried out to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) of Rara National Park, Mugu, Nepal. A total of 22 faecal samples of Red Panda were collected in the month of May/June 2011 and 21 faecal samples from the same site during the month of May/June 2012. All the samples were microscopically examined by faecal floatation and sedimentation techniques. Out of 43 faecal samples examined, 40 samples (93.00%) were found to be positive for gastro-intestinal parasites. Altogether, 12 different species of gastro-intestinal parasites were recovered from Red Panda. Among them, two species of protozoan parasites and 10 species of helminthes were observed. In protozoan parasites, Eimeria (67.44%) was more prevalent than Entamoeba (62.79%). Among helminthes, Oxyuris sp. showed the highest prevalence rate followed by Toxoascaris sp. (48.84%), Hookworm (44.19%), Baylisascaris sp. and Crenosoma sp. (34.88%), Strongyloides sp. and Moniezia sp. (18.60%), Trichuris sp. and Metastrongylus sp. (4.65%) and Angiostrongylus sp. (2.33%). Only one species of cestoda i.e. Moniezia sp. was found but trematoda and acanthocephalans were not found in Red Panda of Rara National Park. The concurrency of parasite infection indicated highest for multiple and quintuple infection. Intensity of infection revealed that the Red Pandas of RNP were infected heavily by protozoan parasites; Eimeria and Entamoeba and helminth parasites; Oxyuris, Baylisascaris, and Trichuris indicating that parasitic infection possess an important threat in conservation of Red Panda in Nepal.Item Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Red Panda (Ailurus Fulgens Fulgens Cuvier, 1825) in Rara National Park, Mugu, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2015) Shrestha, Chandra Kaji PanThe present study has been carried out to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) of Rara National Park, Mugu, Nepal. A total of 22 faecal samples of Red Panda were collected in the month of May/June 2011 and 21 faecal samples from the same site during the month of May/June 2012. All the samples were microscopically examined by faecal floatation and sedimentation techniques. Out of 43 faecal samples examined, 40 samples (93.00%) were found to be positive for gastro-intestinal parasites. Altogether, 12 different species of gastro-intestinal parasites were recovered from Red Panda. Among them, two species of protozoan parasites and 10 species of helminthes were observed. In protozoan parasites, Eimeria (67.44%) was more prevalent than Entamoeba (62.79%). Among helminthes, Oxyuris sp. showed the highest prevalence rate followed by Toxoascaris sp. (48.84%), Hookworm (44.19%), Baylisascaris sp. and Crenosoma sp. (34.88%), Strongyloides sp. and Moniezia sp. (18.60%), Trichuris sp. and Metastrongylus sp. (4.65%) and Angiostrongylus sp. (2.33%). Only one species of cestoda i.e. Moniezia sp. was found but trematoda and acanthocephalans were not found in Red Panda of Rara National Park. The concurrency of parasite infection indicated highest for multiple and quintuple infection. Intensity of infection revealed that the Red Pandas of RNP were infected heavily by protozoan parasites; Eimeria and Entamoeba and helminth parasites; Oxyuris, Baylisascaris, and Trichuris indicating that parasitic infection possess an important threat in conservation of Red Panda in Nepal.Item The Status of the Red Panda in Jamuna and Mabu Villages of Eastern Nepal(Faculty of the Department of Environmental Studies, 2004) Williams, Brian H.The status of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is examined in the cultural context of Jamuna and Mabu Village Development Committees (VDCs) of the Ilam District in eastern Nepal. Intensive, market-driven land-use threatens red panda habitat and the largest unprotected oak stands in eastern Nepal. This study investigates red panda ecology and Jamuna and Mabu human ecology. Results indicate that red panda density in the study area average 1 red panda/1.38km 2 , and they prefer undisturbed Eastern Himalayan mixed broadleaf forest between 2800m – 3000m. Predation is the greatest threat to the population. In the last year alone, local dogs killed two red panda. Results also indicate that Jamuna and Mabu land use decisions are market-driven with grazing and bamboo harvesting being the most detrimental to red panda habitat. This thesis concludes that, in Jamuna and Mabu, the red panda is critically endangered because of intense, market-driven use of its habitat and local dog predation.