The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Damber Bista - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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reaching over the gap a review of trends in and status of Red Panda research over 193 years 1827 2020
Science of The Total Environment, 2021Co-Authors: Sikha Karki, Sonam Tashi Lama, Damber Bista, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Tek Narayan Maraseni, Brendan Mackey, Ambika P Gautam, Upama Koju, Anita Shrestha, Timothy CadmanAbstract:The Red Panda is a unique species taxonomically known for its peculiar biological and ecological characteristics, and extreme attractiveness. Despite being highly significant from conservation, scientific and economic perspectives, this species has experienced a declining population in the wild. Thus, to direct further research priorities and conservation actions and assess gaps in the current research trend of this species, a systematic literature review was conducted covering 175 journal articles published in English over 193 years (1827-2020). This review revealed that (1) the biological aspect was highly studied compaRed to other thematic areas of Red Panda (2) captive-based studies are relatively higher than the studies based in wild populations (3) China is leading the Red Panda studies amongst all Red Panda range (4) The universities were found contributing more to Red Panda studies than other institutions. Surprisingly, we found that the researchers from the non-range country were leading Red Panda study than those from range countries. Our review highlighted the need of prioritising studies in underrepresented locations and understudied thematic areas focusing on the assessment of climate change impact, bamboo distribution status, ecosystem services of Red Panda habitat, behavior and movement ecology, population estimation, and metapopulation dynamics. We urge landscape-level studies and long-term population monitoring. Besides, we also suggest the documentation and evaluation of the effectiveness of ongoing Red Panda-focused conservation programs. We also stress the need for strengthening the capacity of institutions and people from range countries.
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distribution and habitat attributes associated with the himalayan Red Panda in the westernmost distribution range
Ecology and Evolution, 2021Co-Authors: Saroj Shrestha, Sonam Tashi Lama, Damber Bista, Arjun Thapa, Natasha M Robinson, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Shant Raj Jnawali, Sony LamaAbstract:The Himalayan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), a recently confirmed distinct species in the Red Panda genus, is distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and south Tibet. Nepal represents the westernmost distribution of the Himalayan Red Panda. This study aims to determine important habitat features influencing the distribution of Red Panda and recommend possible habitat corridors. This manuscript described current potential habitat of 3,222 km2 with the relative abundance of 3.34 signs/km in Nepal. Aspect, canopy cover, bamboo cover, and distance to water were the important habitat attributes. It suggested five potential corridors in western Nepal. Overall, the study has important implications for conservation of the Himalayan Red Panda in western distribution range.
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improved trapping and handling of an arboreal montane mammal Red Panda ailurus fulgens
Open Access Journal, 2021Co-Authors: Damber Bista, Sonam Tashi Lama, Greg Baxter, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Madhuri Karki Thapa, Janno Weerman, Purushotam Pandey, Haribhadra Acharya, Nicholas J Hudson, P J MurrayAbstract:It is sometimes essential to have an animal in the hand to study some of their ecological and biological characteristics. However, capturing a solitary, cryptic, elusive arboreal species such as the Red Panda in the wild is challenging. We developed and successfully tested a protocol for tracking, trapping, immobilization, and handling of Red Pandas in the wild in eastern Nepal. We established a Red Panda sighting rate of 0.89 Panda/day with a capture success rate of 0.6. We trapped and collaRed one animal in 3.7 days. On average, we took nearly 136 (range 50–317) min to capture an animal after spotting it. Further processing was completed in 38.5 (21–70) min. Before capture, we found it difficult to recognize the sex of the Red Panda and to differentiate sub-adults above six months from adults. However, body weight, body length, tail length, shoulder height, and chest girth can be used for diagnosis, as these attributes are smaller in sub-adults. Our method is a welfare-friendly way of trapping and handling wild Red Pandas. We report new morphometric data that could serve as a guide for field identification.
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landscape variables affecting the himalayan Red Panda ailurus fulgens occupancy in wet season along the mountains in nepal
PLOS ONE, 2020Co-Authors: Kanchan Thapa, Saroj Shrestha, Damber Bista, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Shant Raj Jnawali, Gokarna Jung Thapa, Kapil Khanal, Ram Chandra Kandel, Madhuri Karki Thapa, Sonam Tashi LamaAbstract:The Himalayan Red Panda is an endangeRed mammal endemic to Eastern Himalayan and South Western China. Data deficiency often hinders understanding of their spatial distribution and habitat use, which is critical for species conservation planning. We used sign surveys covering the entire potential Red Panda habitat over 22,453 km2 along the mid-hills and high mountains encompassing six conservation complexes in Nepal. To estimate Red Panda distribution using an occupancy framework, we walked 1,451 km along 446 sampled grid cells out of 4,631 grid cells in the wet season of 2016. We used single-species, single-season models to make inferences regarding covariates influencing detection and occupancy. We estimated the probability of detection and occupancy based on model-averaging techniques and drew pRedictive maps showing site-specific occupancy estimates. We observed Red Panda in 213 grid cells and found covariates such as elevation, distance to water sources, and bamboo cover influencing the occupancy. Red Panda detection probability [Formula: see text] estimated at 0.70 (0.02). We estimated Red Panda site occupancy (sampled grid cells) and landscape occupancy (across the potential habitat) [Formula: see text] at 0.48 (0.01) and 0.40 (0.02) respectively. The pRedictive map shows a site-specific variation in the spatial distribution of this arboreal species along the priority Red Panda conservation complexes. Data on their spatial distribution may serve as a baseline for future studies and are expected to aid in species conservation planning in priority conservation complexes.
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Habitat requirements of the Himalayan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) and threat analysis in Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan.
Ecology and evolution, 2020Co-Authors: Pema Dendup, Choki Lham, Damber Bista, Tatyana Humle, Ugyen Penjor, Jigme GyeltshenAbstract:Understanding the influence of anthropogenic disturbances on species' habitat use and distribution is critical to conservation managers in planning effective conservation strategies and mitigating the impact of development. Few studies have focused on the Himalayan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Bhutan. This study aimed to assess the habitat requirements and threats to this endangeRed species in the Khamaed subdistrict of the Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan. We employed a transect walk and plot-sampling survey design across two seasons, that is, winter and spring. In total, we surveyed 84 × 50 m radius circular plots along 51 km of existing trails within a 25.4 km2 study area. At 500 m intervals, we established plots at random distances and direction from the trail. We recorded direct sightings (n = 2) and indirect signs (n = 14), such as droppings and footprints as evidence of Red Panda presence within an altitudinal range of 2,414-3,618 m. We also noted 21 tree and 12 understory species within plots with Red Panda evidence; the dominant tree species was the Himalayan hemlock (Tsuga dumosa) and the Asian barberry (Berberis asiatica) as an understory species. Red Panda presence showed a significant positive association with distance to water sources and fir forests. Plant disturbance and infrastructure, such as power transmission lines, were identified as prominent anthropogenic threats in the study area. Based on our findings, we recommend the development and implementation of local forest management plans, livestock intensification programs, and strict application of environmental impact assessment regulations to promote the conservation of the Red Panda in the region.
Manjit Bista - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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mapping habitat suitability for asiatic black bear and Red Panda in makalu barun national park of nepal from maxent and garp models
Scientific Reports, 2021Co-Authors: Manjit BistaAbstract:Habitat evaluation is essential for managing wildlife populations and formulating conservation policies. With the rise of innovative powerful statistical techniques in partnership with Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS techniques, spatially explicit species distribution modeling (SDM) has rapidly grown in conservation biology. These models can help us to study habitat suitability at the scale of the species range, and are particularly useful for examining the overlapping habitat between sympatric species. Species presence points collected through field GPS observations, in conjunction with 13 different topographic, vegetation related, anthropogenic, and bioclimatic variables, as well as a land cover map with seven classification categories created by support vector machine (SVM) were used to implement Maxent and GARP ecological niche models. With the resulting ecological niche models, the suitable habitat for asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Nepal Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP) was pRedicted. All of the pRedictor variables were extracted from freely available remote sensing and publicly shaRed government data resources. The modeled results were validated by using an independent dataset. Analysis of the regularized training gain showed that the three most important environmental variables for habitat suitability were distance to settlement, elevation, and mean annual temperature. The habitat suitability modeling accuracy, characterized by the mean area under curve, was moderate for both species when GARP was used (0.791 for black bear and 0.786 for Red Panda), but was moderate for black bear (0.857), and high for Red Panda (0.920) when Maxent was used. The suitable habitat estimated by Maxent for black bear and Red Panda was 716 km2 and 343 km2 respectively, while the suitable area determined by GARP was 1074 km2 and 714 km2 respectively. Maxent pRedicted that the overlapping area was 83% of the Red Panda habitat and 40% of the black bear habitat, while GARP estimated 88% of the Red Panda habitat and 58% of the black bear habitat overlapped. The results of land cover exhibited that barren land coveRed the highest percentage of area in MBNP (36.0%) followed by forest (32.6%). Of the suitable habitat, both models indicated forest as the most preferRed land cover for both species (63.7% for black bear and 61.6% for Red Panda from Maxent; 59.9% black bear and 58.8% for Red Panda from GARP). Maxent outperformed GARP in terms of habitat suitability modeling. The black bear showed higher habitat selectivity than Red Panda. We suggest that proper management should be given to the overlapping habitats in the buffer zone. For remote and inaccessible regions, the proposed methods are promising tools for wildlife management and conservation, deserving further popularization.
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habitat overlap between asiatic black bear ursus thibetanus and Red Panda ailurus fulgens in himalaya
PLOS ONE, 2018Co-Authors: Manjit Bista, Saroj Panthi, Sarah R WeiskopfAbstract:Studying habitat overlap between sympatric species is one of the best ways to identify interspecies relationships and to direct conservation efforts so that multiple species can benefit. However, studies exploring interspecies relationships are very limited in Nepal, making it difficult for the government of Nepal and conservation partners to manage wildlife in their habitats, especially in Himalayan protected areas. In this study, we identified habitat overlap between Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) as well as important habitat types for both species in the Makalu Barun National Park, Nepal using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling. GPS points of species occurrence were collected from the field, and environmental variables were extracted from freely available sources. We found that the study area contained 647 km2 of Asiatic black bear habitat and 443 km2 of the Red Panda habitat. 368 km2 supported both species, which constituted 57% of the Asiatic black bear habitat and 83% of the Red Panda habitat. We found that conifer forest was the most important habitat type for both species. Because the largest portions of both species’ habitat were located inside the buffer zone, a peripheral zone of national park, conservation efforts for these sympatric species should be focused inside the buffer zone to be most effective.
Krishna Prasad Acharya - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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distribution and habitat attributes associated with the himalayan Red Panda in the westernmost distribution range
Ecology and Evolution, 2021Co-Authors: Saroj Shrestha, Sonam Tashi Lama, Damber Bista, Arjun Thapa, Natasha M Robinson, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Shant Raj Jnawali, Sony LamaAbstract:The Himalayan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), a recently confirmed distinct species in the Red Panda genus, is distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and south Tibet. Nepal represents the westernmost distribution of the Himalayan Red Panda. This study aims to determine important habitat features influencing the distribution of Red Panda and recommend possible habitat corridors. This manuscript described current potential habitat of 3,222 km2 with the relative abundance of 3.34 signs/km in Nepal. Aspect, canopy cover, bamboo cover, and distance to water were the important habitat attributes. It suggested five potential corridors in western Nepal. Overall, the study has important implications for conservation of the Himalayan Red Panda in western distribution range.
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landscape variables affecting the himalayan Red Panda ailurus fulgens occupancy in wet season along the mountains in nepal
PLOS ONE, 2020Co-Authors: Kanchan Thapa, Saroj Shrestha, Damber Bista, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Shant Raj Jnawali, Gokarna Jung Thapa, Kapil Khanal, Ram Chandra Kandel, Madhuri Karki Thapa, Sonam Tashi LamaAbstract:The Himalayan Red Panda is an endangeRed mammal endemic to Eastern Himalayan and South Western China. Data deficiency often hinders understanding of their spatial distribution and habitat use, which is critical for species conservation planning. We used sign surveys covering the entire potential Red Panda habitat over 22,453 km2 along the mid-hills and high mountains encompassing six conservation complexes in Nepal. To estimate Red Panda distribution using an occupancy framework, we walked 1,451 km along 446 sampled grid cells out of 4,631 grid cells in the wet season of 2016. We used single-species, single-season models to make inferences regarding covariates influencing detection and occupancy. We estimated the probability of detection and occupancy based on model-averaging techniques and drew pRedictive maps showing site-specific occupancy estimates. We observed Red Panda in 213 grid cells and found covariates such as elevation, distance to water sources, and bamboo cover influencing the occupancy. Red Panda detection probability [Formula: see text] estimated at 0.70 (0.02). We estimated Red Panda site occupancy (sampled grid cells) and landscape occupancy (across the potential habitat) [Formula: see text] at 0.48 (0.01) and 0.40 (0.02) respectively. The pRedictive map shows a site-specific variation in the spatial distribution of this arboreal species along the priority Red Panda conservation complexes. Data on their spatial distribution may serve as a baseline for future studies and are expected to aid in species conservation planning in priority conservation complexes.
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Red Panda fine scale habitat selection along a central himalayan longitudinal gradient
Ecology and Evolution, 2019Co-Authors: Saroj Shrestha, Damber Bista, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Shant Raj Jnawali, Prakash Kumar Paudel, Krishna Prasad AcharyaAbstract:Red Panda Ailurus fulgens, an endangeRed habitat specialist, inhabits a narrow distribution range in bamboo abundance forests along mountain slopes in the Himalaya and Hengduan Mountains. However, their habitat use may be different in places with different longitudinal environmental gradients, climatic regimes, and microclimate. This study aimed to determine the habitat variables affecting Red Panda distribution across different longitudinal gradients through a multivariate analysis. We studied habitat selection patterns along the longitudinal gradient in Nepal's Himalaya which is grouped into the eastern, central, and western complexes. We collected data on Red Panda presence and habitat variables (e.g., tree richness, canopy cover, bamboo abundance, water availability, tree diameter, tree height) by surveys along transects throughout the species' potential range. We used a multimodal inference approach with a generalized linear model to test the relative importance of environmental variables. Although the study showed that bamboo abundance had a major influence, habitat selection was different across longitudinal zones. Both canopy cover and species richness were unimportant in eastern Nepal, but their influence increased progressively toward the west. Conversely, tree height showed a decreasing influence on habitat selection from Eastern to Western Nepal. Red Panda's habitat selection revealed in this study corresponds to the uneven distribution of vegetation assemblages and the dry climatic gradient along the eastern-western Himalayas which could be related to a need to conserve energy and thermoregulate. This study has further highlighted the need of importance of bamboo conservation and site-specific conservation planning to ensure long-term Red Panda conservation.
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pervasive human disturbance on habitats of endangeRed Red Panda ailurus fulgens in the central himalaya
Global Ecology and Conservation, 2018Co-Authors: Krishna Prasad Acharya, Saroj Shrestha, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Shant Raj Jnawali, Prakash Kumar Paudel, Sakshi Acharya, Damber BistaAbstract:Abstract Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens) live in the dense forests of mid-hills of the Himalaya and feed almost exclusively on bamboo. They are vulnerable to extinction due to human induced disturbances. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation along with poaching are the most pressing anthropogenic threats to Red Panda conservation. The extinction risk to Red Pandas is further compounded by their life history traits. However, there is a paucity of information regarding human impact on Red Panda habitats. We have used presence and absence data collected from entire Red Panda range in Nepal, including habitat both inside and outside the Protected Areas (PAs) to examine the impact of human disturbance on their distribution. Our findings indicate that Red Panda prefer less disturbed habitats but will occupy human disturbed areas. Signs of poaching and cattle trails were significantly associated with Red Panda presence throughout Nepal while livestock faeces and landslides were negatively associated. Plant disturbance, presence of solid waste and proximity to herders' shed were significantly associated with presence of Red Panda in PAs whereas landslides and livestock faeces were significant disturbance variables outside the PAs. The findings show that Red Panda habitats are invariably disturbed and that integrated conservation programs such as awareness, livelihood support that Reduces human dependency on forests, and regulations are must.
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Pervasive human disturbance on habitats of endangeRed Red Panda Ailurus fulgens in the central Himalaya
Elsevier, 2018Co-Authors: Krishna Prasad Acharya, Saroj Shrestha, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Shant Raj Jnawali, Prakash Kumar Paudel, Sakshi Acharya, Damber BistaAbstract:Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens) live in the dense forests of mid-hills of the Himalaya and feed almost exclusively on bamboo. They are vulnerable to extinction due to human induced disturbances. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation along with poaching are the most pressing anthropogenic threats to Red Panda conservation. The extinction risk to Red Pandas is further compounded by their life history traits. However, there is a paucity of information regarding human impact on Red Panda habitats. We have used presence and absence data collected from entire Red Panda range in Nepal, including habitat both inside and outside the Protected Areas (PAs) to examine the impact of human disturbance on their distribution. Our findings indicate that Red Panda prefer less disturbed habitats but will occupy human disturbed areas. Signs of poaching and cattle trails were significantly associated with Red Panda presence throughout Nepal while livestock faeces and landslides were negatively associated. Plant disturbance, presence of solid waste and proximity to herders' shed were significantly associated with presence of Red Panda in PAs whereas landslides and livestock faeces were significant disturbance variables outside the PAs. The findings show that Red Panda habitats are invariably disturbed and that integrated conservation programs such as awareness, livelihood support that Reduces human dependency on forests, and regulations are must. Keywords: Anthropogenic threats, Disturbance, Habitat degradation, Protected areas, Red pand
Saroj Shrestha - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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distribution and habitat attributes associated with the himalayan Red Panda in the westernmost distribution range
Ecology and Evolution, 2021Co-Authors: Saroj Shrestha, Sonam Tashi Lama, Damber Bista, Arjun Thapa, Natasha M Robinson, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Shant Raj Jnawali, Sony LamaAbstract:The Himalayan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), a recently confirmed distinct species in the Red Panda genus, is distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and south Tibet. Nepal represents the westernmost distribution of the Himalayan Red Panda. This study aims to determine important habitat features influencing the distribution of Red Panda and recommend possible habitat corridors. This manuscript described current potential habitat of 3,222 km2 with the relative abundance of 3.34 signs/km in Nepal. Aspect, canopy cover, bamboo cover, and distance to water were the important habitat attributes. It suggested five potential corridors in western Nepal. Overall, the study has important implications for conservation of the Himalayan Red Panda in western distribution range.
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landscape variables affecting the himalayan Red Panda ailurus fulgens occupancy in wet season along the mountains in nepal
PLOS ONE, 2020Co-Authors: Kanchan Thapa, Saroj Shrestha, Damber Bista, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Shant Raj Jnawali, Gokarna Jung Thapa, Kapil Khanal, Ram Chandra Kandel, Madhuri Karki Thapa, Sonam Tashi LamaAbstract:The Himalayan Red Panda is an endangeRed mammal endemic to Eastern Himalayan and South Western China. Data deficiency often hinders understanding of their spatial distribution and habitat use, which is critical for species conservation planning. We used sign surveys covering the entire potential Red Panda habitat over 22,453 km2 along the mid-hills and high mountains encompassing six conservation complexes in Nepal. To estimate Red Panda distribution using an occupancy framework, we walked 1,451 km along 446 sampled grid cells out of 4,631 grid cells in the wet season of 2016. We used single-species, single-season models to make inferences regarding covariates influencing detection and occupancy. We estimated the probability of detection and occupancy based on model-averaging techniques and drew pRedictive maps showing site-specific occupancy estimates. We observed Red Panda in 213 grid cells and found covariates such as elevation, distance to water sources, and bamboo cover influencing the occupancy. Red Panda detection probability [Formula: see text] estimated at 0.70 (0.02). We estimated Red Panda site occupancy (sampled grid cells) and landscape occupancy (across the potential habitat) [Formula: see text] at 0.48 (0.01) and 0.40 (0.02) respectively. The pRedictive map shows a site-specific variation in the spatial distribution of this arboreal species along the priority Red Panda conservation complexes. Data on their spatial distribution may serve as a baseline for future studies and are expected to aid in species conservation planning in priority conservation complexes.
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Red Panda fine scale habitat selection along a central himalayan longitudinal gradient
Ecology and Evolution, 2019Co-Authors: Saroj Shrestha, Damber Bista, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Shant Raj Jnawali, Prakash Kumar Paudel, Krishna Prasad AcharyaAbstract:Red Panda Ailurus fulgens, an endangeRed habitat specialist, inhabits a narrow distribution range in bamboo abundance forests along mountain slopes in the Himalaya and Hengduan Mountains. However, their habitat use may be different in places with different longitudinal environmental gradients, climatic regimes, and microclimate. This study aimed to determine the habitat variables affecting Red Panda distribution across different longitudinal gradients through a multivariate analysis. We studied habitat selection patterns along the longitudinal gradient in Nepal's Himalaya which is grouped into the eastern, central, and western complexes. We collected data on Red Panda presence and habitat variables (e.g., tree richness, canopy cover, bamboo abundance, water availability, tree diameter, tree height) by surveys along transects throughout the species' potential range. We used a multimodal inference approach with a generalized linear model to test the relative importance of environmental variables. Although the study showed that bamboo abundance had a major influence, habitat selection was different across longitudinal zones. Both canopy cover and species richness were unimportant in eastern Nepal, but their influence increased progressively toward the west. Conversely, tree height showed a decreasing influence on habitat selection from Eastern to Western Nepal. Red Panda's habitat selection revealed in this study corresponds to the uneven distribution of vegetation assemblages and the dry climatic gradient along the eastern-western Himalayas which could be related to a need to conserve energy and thermoregulate. This study has further highlighted the need of importance of bamboo conservation and site-specific conservation planning to ensure long-term Red Panda conservation.
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pervasive human disturbance on habitats of endangeRed Red Panda ailurus fulgens in the central himalaya
Global Ecology and Conservation, 2018Co-Authors: Krishna Prasad Acharya, Saroj Shrestha, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Shant Raj Jnawali, Prakash Kumar Paudel, Sakshi Acharya, Damber BistaAbstract:Abstract Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens) live in the dense forests of mid-hills of the Himalaya and feed almost exclusively on bamboo. They are vulnerable to extinction due to human induced disturbances. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation along with poaching are the most pressing anthropogenic threats to Red Panda conservation. The extinction risk to Red Pandas is further compounded by their life history traits. However, there is a paucity of information regarding human impact on Red Panda habitats. We have used presence and absence data collected from entire Red Panda range in Nepal, including habitat both inside and outside the Protected Areas (PAs) to examine the impact of human disturbance on their distribution. Our findings indicate that Red Panda prefer less disturbed habitats but will occupy human disturbed areas. Signs of poaching and cattle trails were significantly associated with Red Panda presence throughout Nepal while livestock faeces and landslides were negatively associated. Plant disturbance, presence of solid waste and proximity to herders' shed were significantly associated with presence of Red Panda in PAs whereas landslides and livestock faeces were significant disturbance variables outside the PAs. The findings show that Red Panda habitats are invariably disturbed and that integrated conservation programs such as awareness, livelihood support that Reduces human dependency on forests, and regulations are must.
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Pervasive human disturbance on habitats of endangeRed Red Panda Ailurus fulgens in the central Himalaya
Elsevier, 2018Co-Authors: Krishna Prasad Acharya, Saroj Shrestha, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Shant Raj Jnawali, Prakash Kumar Paudel, Sakshi Acharya, Damber BistaAbstract:Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens) live in the dense forests of mid-hills of the Himalaya and feed almost exclusively on bamboo. They are vulnerable to extinction due to human induced disturbances. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation along with poaching are the most pressing anthropogenic threats to Red Panda conservation. The extinction risk to Red Pandas is further compounded by their life history traits. However, there is a paucity of information regarding human impact on Red Panda habitats. We have used presence and absence data collected from entire Red Panda range in Nepal, including habitat both inside and outside the Protected Areas (PAs) to examine the impact of human disturbance on their distribution. Our findings indicate that Red Panda prefer less disturbed habitats but will occupy human disturbed areas. Signs of poaching and cattle trails were significantly associated with Red Panda presence throughout Nepal while livestock faeces and landslides were negatively associated. Plant disturbance, presence of solid waste and proximity to herders' shed were significantly associated with presence of Red Panda in PAs whereas landslides and livestock faeces were significant disturbance variables outside the PAs. The findings show that Red Panda habitats are invariably disturbed and that integrated conservation programs such as awareness, livelihood support that Reduces human dependency on forests, and regulations are must. Keywords: Anthropogenic threats, Disturbance, Habitat degradation, Protected areas, Red pand
Sonam Tashi Lama - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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reaching over the gap a review of trends in and status of Red Panda research over 193 years 1827 2020
Science of The Total Environment, 2021Co-Authors: Sikha Karki, Sonam Tashi Lama, Damber Bista, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Tek Narayan Maraseni, Brendan Mackey, Ambika P Gautam, Upama Koju, Anita Shrestha, Timothy CadmanAbstract:The Red Panda is a unique species taxonomically known for its peculiar biological and ecological characteristics, and extreme attractiveness. Despite being highly significant from conservation, scientific and economic perspectives, this species has experienced a declining population in the wild. Thus, to direct further research priorities and conservation actions and assess gaps in the current research trend of this species, a systematic literature review was conducted covering 175 journal articles published in English over 193 years (1827-2020). This review revealed that (1) the biological aspect was highly studied compaRed to other thematic areas of Red Panda (2) captive-based studies are relatively higher than the studies based in wild populations (3) China is leading the Red Panda studies amongst all Red Panda range (4) The universities were found contributing more to Red Panda studies than other institutions. Surprisingly, we found that the researchers from the non-range country were leading Red Panda study than those from range countries. Our review highlighted the need of prioritising studies in underrepresented locations and understudied thematic areas focusing on the assessment of climate change impact, bamboo distribution status, ecosystem services of Red Panda habitat, behavior and movement ecology, population estimation, and metapopulation dynamics. We urge landscape-level studies and long-term population monitoring. Besides, we also suggest the documentation and evaluation of the effectiveness of ongoing Red Panda-focused conservation programs. We also stress the need for strengthening the capacity of institutions and people from range countries.
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distribution and habitat attributes associated with the himalayan Red Panda in the westernmost distribution range
Ecology and Evolution, 2021Co-Authors: Saroj Shrestha, Sonam Tashi Lama, Damber Bista, Arjun Thapa, Natasha M Robinson, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Shant Raj Jnawali, Sony LamaAbstract:The Himalayan Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), a recently confirmed distinct species in the Red Panda genus, is distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and south Tibet. Nepal represents the westernmost distribution of the Himalayan Red Panda. This study aims to determine important habitat features influencing the distribution of Red Panda and recommend possible habitat corridors. This manuscript described current potential habitat of 3,222 km2 with the relative abundance of 3.34 signs/km in Nepal. Aspect, canopy cover, bamboo cover, and distance to water were the important habitat attributes. It suggested five potential corridors in western Nepal. Overall, the study has important implications for conservation of the Himalayan Red Panda in western distribution range.
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improved trapping and handling of an arboreal montane mammal Red Panda ailurus fulgens
Open Access Journal, 2021Co-Authors: Damber Bista, Sonam Tashi Lama, Greg Baxter, Ang Phuri Sherpa, Madhuri Karki Thapa, Janno Weerman, Purushotam Pandey, Haribhadra Acharya, Nicholas J Hudson, P J MurrayAbstract:It is sometimes essential to have an animal in the hand to study some of their ecological and biological characteristics. However, capturing a solitary, cryptic, elusive arboreal species such as the Red Panda in the wild is challenging. We developed and successfully tested a protocol for tracking, trapping, immobilization, and handling of Red Pandas in the wild in eastern Nepal. We established a Red Panda sighting rate of 0.89 Panda/day with a capture success rate of 0.6. We trapped and collaRed one animal in 3.7 days. On average, we took nearly 136 (range 50–317) min to capture an animal after spotting it. Further processing was completed in 38.5 (21–70) min. Before capture, we found it difficult to recognize the sex of the Red Panda and to differentiate sub-adults above six months from adults. However, body weight, body length, tail length, shoulder height, and chest girth can be used for diagnosis, as these attributes are smaller in sub-adults. Our method is a welfare-friendly way of trapping and handling wild Red Pandas. We report new morphometric data that could serve as a guide for field identification.
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landscape variables affecting the himalayan Red Panda ailurus fulgens occupancy in wet season along the mountains in nepal
PLOS ONE, 2020Co-Authors: Kanchan Thapa, Saroj Shrestha, Damber Bista, Krishna Prasad Acharya, Shant Raj Jnawali, Gokarna Jung Thapa, Kapil Khanal, Ram Chandra Kandel, Madhuri Karki Thapa, Sonam Tashi LamaAbstract:The Himalayan Red Panda is an endangeRed mammal endemic to Eastern Himalayan and South Western China. Data deficiency often hinders understanding of their spatial distribution and habitat use, which is critical for species conservation planning. We used sign surveys covering the entire potential Red Panda habitat over 22,453 km2 along the mid-hills and high mountains encompassing six conservation complexes in Nepal. To estimate Red Panda distribution using an occupancy framework, we walked 1,451 km along 446 sampled grid cells out of 4,631 grid cells in the wet season of 2016. We used single-species, single-season models to make inferences regarding covariates influencing detection and occupancy. We estimated the probability of detection and occupancy based on model-averaging techniques and drew pRedictive maps showing site-specific occupancy estimates. We observed Red Panda in 213 grid cells and found covariates such as elevation, distance to water sources, and bamboo cover influencing the occupancy. Red Panda detection probability [Formula: see text] estimated at 0.70 (0.02). We estimated Red Panda site occupancy (sampled grid cells) and landscape occupancy (across the potential habitat) [Formula: see text] at 0.48 (0.01) and 0.40 (0.02) respectively. The pRedictive map shows a site-specific variation in the spatial distribution of this arboreal species along the priority Red Panda conservation complexes. Data on their spatial distribution may serve as a baseline for future studies and are expected to aid in species conservation planning in priority conservation complexes.
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prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in free ranging Red Panda ailurus fulgens cuvier 1825 mammalia carnivora ailuridae in nepal
Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2015Co-Authors: Sonam Tashi Lama, Rinzin Phunjok Lama, Ganga Ram Regmi, Tirth Raj GhimireAbstract:The Red Panda Ailurus fulgens is a small carnivore that is adapted to a mainly herbivorous diet. The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in a free-ranging population of Red Pandas in a community forest in Nepal. A total of 23 faecal samples were collected and examined. Protozoa infections were the most common and cestode infections occurRed the least. Our findings suggest that parasites might be a significant problem for the health of the Red Pandas in the study area. Molecular methods should be used to further investigate the taxonomic position of the parasites and their role in threatening the resilience of Red Panda populations in Nepal.
