Red Panda sighted at Muna of Myagdi

Myagdi, Dec 9: Red Panda has been found in Bancharedanda forest at Muna, Dhaulagiri rural municipality-3.    

The government has enlisted Red Panda as an endangered wildlife. This animal is found in places at altitude from 2,000 metres to 4,800 metres above the sea level.    

A team comprising employees and office-bearers of Dhaulagiri rural municipality spotted the Red Panda at an altitude of 3,100 metres while returning back from Muna Malika.    

Tejindra Pun, an employee at the rural municipality, clicked a photo and recorded a video of the wild animal, and shared them to the forest officials, as well as made them public. Pun said that the Red Panda has been found for the first time in the forest of the erstwhile Muna Village Development Committee.    

Bishnu Prasad Adhikari, Chief of the Division Forest Office Myagdi, confirmed that the animal spotted in Bancharedanda forest is Red Panda. "Based on the video and the photo as well as the droppings found at the site, it has been confirmed that Dhaulagiri area is the Red Panda's habitat," Adhikari said, adding that they would propose projects to the Ministry and the donor agencies' projects for the preservation of Red Panda.    

With assistance from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the financial support of the Hariyo Ban Programme, The Red Panda Network and Himali Conservation Forum had carried out a search campaign in 2073 BS.    

Badri Baral, a researcher associated with the Red Panda Network, said although the habitat of Red Panda was found in the Dhaulagiri region before this, the animal was not directly observed.   (RSS)