Forests fragmented by new roads are leaving red pandas with nowhere to go, making it harder for them to survive
By Geographical Contributor
Red pandas, which are native to Nepal, Bhutan and southwestern China, are being driven nearer to extinction by forest fragmentation and exploitation. Much of the red panda’s range lies outside of designated protected areas, leaving this vulnerable species, already – listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List – at risk of habitat loss as forests are cut down for development, agriculture or firewood. Their population has declined by an estimated 50 per cent in the last 50 years, with less than 10,000 red pandas left across just five countries.
In one of only a handful of studies conducted on wild red panda populations, scientists from Australia (in collaboration with the Red Panda Network and Rotterdam Zoo) have been tracking Nepalese pandas over a 12-month period using GPS tracking collars. The results are worrying, says Damber Bista, lead author of the study. Human activity such as road building is causing the animals to restrict their movements, resulting in population isolation. As the availability of suitable forests shrink, the pandas must choose between living closer to predators or trying to adapt to life alongside humans. It’s a trade-off that can lead to population declines in the long run, adds Bista.
The study highlights the need for minimising disturbance from human activities and recommends strict regulations on building work during biologically sensitive times such as mating and birthing seasons, as well as conservation programmes that focus on maintaining habitat continuity. ‘It’s difficult to know how many red pandas are left in the world, but it is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 are in Nepal,’ says Bista. ‘I am concerned about the future of this species.’
There are two subspecies of red panda. Although, recent studies suggest they might be two separate species. Ailurus fulgens fulgens, which is slightly smaller in size, is mostly found in Nepal, along with India, Myanmar and Bhutan. In contrast, Ailurus fulgens refulgens is primarily found in China.
As climate changes and temperatures rise, the existing populations are driven to higher and higher habitats. Their natural surroundings – gentle slopes and rich bamboo understoreys – are prime locations for herders with dogs. Cattle also prefer these slopes, and often trample bamboo – which is also used by herdsmen as fodder – a foodstuff which makes up 98 per cent of red pandas’ diets.
Many red pandas are also killed for food, medicine, and their distinctive red fur. Some even face exploitation in the pet trade in China and Thailand, according to reports from Chinese newspapers and social media. Natural disasters also impact their populations, including cyclones, landslides, floods, heavy snowfall and bamboo flowering (which results in the death of bamboo and occurs at the same time across large areas).
Another factor affecting their survival is disease – especially canine distemper – which still causes death even after vaccination with the domestic dog vaccine. As more people continue to encroach upon the red panda’s habitats, contact between domestic dogs, their excretion and red pandas increases, furthering the risk of disease spread.
Recently, in 2023, conservation methods have included the construction of three new conservation nurseries – with a combined capacity of more than 22,680 seedlings – for sapling germination in Nepal’s Jaubari and Tumling. These seedlings will eventually replenish the animals’ natural surroundings, and will be closely monitored throughout their growth by workers who ensure that regular weeding, staking and mulching occurs.
