Distribution and habitat attributes associated with the Himalayan red panda in the westernmost distribution range

Shrestha, Saroj; Thapa, Arjun; Bista, Damber; Robinson, Natasha; Sherpa, Ang Phuri; Acharya, Krishna Prasad; Jnawali, Shant Raj; Lama, Sonam Tashi; Lama, Sony

doi:10.1002/ece3.7297

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The selected model for the cub-rearing season included aspect even though red pandas mostly selected south, southwest, and west aspects throughout the year. This observation contradicts previous findings that red pandas use north, northeast, and northwest aspects ( Yonzon et al 1991 ; Bista et al 2017 ; Shrestha et al 2021 ). We attribute this contrast to underlying variation in micro-habitat in the different areas.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 96%

Seasonal resource selection of an arboreal habitat specialist in a human-dominated landscape: A case study using red panda

et al. 2022

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Human dominated landscapes provide heterogeneous wildlife habitat. Conservation of habitat specialists, like red pandas Ailurus fulgens, inhabiting such landscapes is challenging. Therefore information on resource use across spatial and temporal scales could enable informed-decision making with better conservation outcomes. We aimed to examine the effect of geo-physical, vegetation, and disturbance variables on fine-scale habitat selection of red pandas in one such landscape. We equipped 10 red pandas with GPS collars in eastern Nepal in 2019 and monitored them for one year. Our analysis was based on a generalized-linear-mixed model. We found the combined effect of geo-physical, vegetation and disturbance variables resulted in differences in resource selection of red pandas and that the degree of response to these variables varied across seasons. Human disturbances, especially road and cattle herding activities, affected habitat utilization throughout the year whereas other variables were important only during restricted periods. For instance, geo-physical variables were influential in the premating and cub-rearing seasons while vegetation variables were important in all seasons other than premating. Red pandas selected steeper slopes with high solar insolation in the premating season while they occupied elevated areas and preferred specific aspects in the cub-rearing season. Furthermore, the utilized areas had tall bamboo in the birthing and cub-rearing seasons while they also preferred diverse tree species and high shrub cover in the latter. Our study demonstrates the significance of season-specific management, suggests the importance of specific types of vegetation during biologically crucial periods, and emphasizes the necessity to minimize disturbances throughout the year.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 96%

Seasonal resource selection of an arboreal habitat specialist in a human-dominated landscape: A case study using red panda

et al. 2022

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“…Similarly, we found that the presence of trees, and greater mean tree height use by pandas, reduced stereotypy. Pandas' preferred high elevation habitat is favourable for taller trees 20 , and Shrestha et al found that canopy cover was an important factor in habitats for pandas in the wild 54 . In European zoos, pandas spend 90% of their time off the ground 37 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, encouraging pandas to spend more of the daytime in feeding and resting by providing proper enrichment will support their natural behaviour. It is notable that these factors are also important habitat attributes for pandas in the wild 54 . Our study is important as the first to provide detailed empirical study of the welfare of captive pandas, and factors influencing it in the Indian subcontinent, where a natural population exists.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of psychological stress and behavioural diversity among captive red panda in Indian zoos and their implications for global captive management

Khan¹,

Lea

Chand

et al. 2022

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At high elevations, biodiversity is at elevated risk from extinctions due to rapid environmental changes. In the most of its range in Himalayas, the red panda, an endangered species, is struggling to survive in the wild, and a global captive breeding programme has been launched to conserve the species. Because captivity can have negative impacts on animals, reducing the chance of successful reintroduction, we investigated the predictors of stereotyped behaviour and behavioural diversity of red panda (n = 26), and the effect of stereotypy on their behavioural diversity in three Indian zoos. Multivariate analysis showed that stereotypy increased with density of logs on the ground, age and higher among pandas in zoo 3 compared to zoo 2, but decreased with number of nests, sociality, tree density and tree height used. Similarly, behavioural diversity increased with log density, but decreased among pandas in zoo 2 compared to zoo 1, during summer compared to winter, and also with ambient temperature, stereotypy, tree density, and tree height used. The relationship between stereotypy and behavioural diversity was negative, but not significant. Provision of a greater density of trees was associated with higher levels of daytime inactivity. Findings from this study have global relevance, as the captive red panda experiences similar welfare issues around the world, and our data provide empirical support for some existing guidelines for red panda husbandry.

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“…Barekot is home to many threatened species, including the Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens), Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus), musk deer (Moschus spp. ), northern red deer (Muntiacus vaginalis), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), common goral (Naemorhedus goral), Himalayan serow (Capricornis thar), and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) (Acharya and Paudel 2020;Shrestha et al 2021a;Shrestha et al 2021b). Additionally, the study area is also home to various endangered avian species, such as the Cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichii), Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), and Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus); the nationally threatened Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra), Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis), and Brown Fish Owl (Bubo zeylonensis); and the Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), a Protected bird of Nepal (Paudel & Bhusal 2015).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Avifaunal Diversity in Important Bird Areas of Western Nepal

Lama¹,

Shrestha²,

Sherpa³

et al. 2022

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The rural municipality of Barekot in Jajarkot district is an Important Bird Area (IBA) in Western Nepal. In recent years, illegal hunting and trapping have increased in this area. Additionally, a hydropower project with a capacity of 410 MW is being constructed within Barekot. The present study aims to update the preliminary checklist of birds and to identify the underlying threats to the bird populations in this region. The bird survey was conducted in Barekot over four days in the late winter / early spring of 2021. Direct field observation, surveys of key informants, a literature review and photography were the main tools used for data collection. The study revealed 87 bird species belonging to 10 orders and 34 families. The birds most commonly recorded belong to the Muscicapidae family, order Passeriformes. Among the recorded species, two are on the IUCN Red List of Nationally Vulnerable species, five are listed in CITES Appendix II, and one species features in CITES Appendix I. Approximately 82% of the bird species recorded were of resident types. Despite a decline in bird diversity, Barekot's unique geographical location still makes it an important IBA in Nepal. Bird numbers have plummeted due to human intrusion and disturbance, and modifications to natural systems. Based on our findings, we recommend landscape-level research on the impacts of hydropower projects, roads, poaching, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Future conservation efforts should also emphasize the prevention of habitat fragmentation and raising public awareness.

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Distribution and habitat attributes associated with the Himalayan red panda in the westernmost distribution range

Cited by 12 publications

References 45 publications

Seasonal resource selection of an arboreal habitat specialist in a human-dominated landscape: A case study using red panda

Seasonal resource selection of an arboreal habitat specialist in a human-dominated landscape: A case study using red panda

Predictors of psychological stress and behavioural diversity among captive red panda in Indian zoos and their implications for global captive management

Avifaunal Diversity in Important Bird Areas of Western Nepal

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