Reproductive behavior of red panda Ailurus Fulgens in the central zoo, Lalitpur, Nepal

Abstract

The population of Red Panda is decreasing with less than 10,000 individuals in the wild because of habitat destruction, fragmentation, poaching, and hunting for its fur. Captive breeding has become an increasingly crucial strategy for conserving such endangered species, but efforts to generate self-sustaining populations have met with poor success despite large resources being allocated. Animals are also known to be stressed in captivity and it is necessary to examine reproductive behavior in relation to the complexity of habitat requirements, dietary preferences, privacy, and, in particular, pregnant moms and their sensitivity to disruptions. This study observed the reproductive behavior of the Red Panda along with other behavioral activities in the Central Zoo, Lalitpur, Nepal using the noninvasive videography method. Scan and focal sampling were used to collect the behavioral

data

from December 2020 to June 2021. A total of 16,416 behavioral activities were recorded in 20,520 minutes. The reproductive behaviors scent-marking, allogrooming, chasing, running, aggressiveness, sniffing, response, mating and feeding on feces were observed along with the general behaviors like locomotion, climbing, standing, selfgrooming,

resting, feeding, sleeping, defecation, urination, drinking, self-play, and stretching. The study revealed that reproductive behavior covered only 1-2% of the total activity budget. Precipitation influenced the reproductive behavior, and activities increased at low volume of precipitation. Humidity and atmospheric pressure had no significant effect. Copulation was attempted many times, and hence, reproduction can be successful if the animal husbandry is properly managed.