A new study has confirmed the presence of endangered red pandas in the Jaljala, Muna, and Mareni regions of Ward No. 2 and 3 of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality, Myagdi. According to the Nepal Biodiversity Conservation Society (NBCS), several red pandas were captured on camera during a recent field study, providing fresh evidence of the species’ survival in the area.
The study, which spanned over a month, involved the installation of three camera traps, of which two successfully recorded red pandas in their natural habitat. “We set up the cameras after spotting fresh red panda droppings during our field assessment. Based on the findings, we estimate that there are between six to twenty-five red pandas living within this forest corridor,” said Pawan Rai, Programme Officer at NBCS.
Extensive Field Study Conducted
The discovery was part of a wider research initiative involving both professional researchers and local residents. The team conducted on-site fieldwork in various locations including Khibang, Mudi, Archey, Dar, Takam, Bagar, Simkosh, Italy Base Camp, Mareni, Lulang, Gurjakhani, and Gurja Deurali, all within the broader Dhaulagiri region.
The collaborative study aimed to map out potential red panda habitats, document signs of their presence, and assess threats such as habitat degradation and human encroachment. Local communities played an active role, assisting researchers in identifying locations where red pandas were previously seen or where signs such as droppings and claw marks were noticed.
Previous Sightings and Conservation History
The Dhaulagiri region has a history of red panda sightings. Local residents had earlier released photos and videos of red pandas from Gurjaghat in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve in Ashoj 2080, and from Bancharedanda in the Dahapatal Community Forest area of Muna in Mangsir 2081. These earlier sightings had sparked renewed conservation interest in the region, prompting further research and monitoring.
The latest findings reaffirm the area’s ecological significance for the species, which is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) are primarily found in temperate forests of the Himalayas, including parts of Nepal, Bhutan, India, and China.
Earlier Research Efforts
This is not the first time that evidence of red pandas has been documented in Mareni and Jaljala. Back in 2073 BS, researchers from the Red Panda Network and the Himalayan Conservation Forum had found red panda droppings in the same area, confirming its suitability as a red panda habitat. That study had been conducted with financial support from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Hariyo Ban Programme, both of which have long been active in promoting biodiversity conservation in western Nepal.
The recurring discoveries over the years suggest that despite human pressures and habitat fragmentation, red panda populations are persisting in the Dhaulagiri landscape, possibly migrating between forest patches across the region.
Potential for Eco-Tourism Development
Researchers believe that this rediscovery could also offer new economic and conservation opportunities for local communities. Larisa Gautam, a researcher involved in the study, noted that eco-tourism centered around red panda observation could generate income and employment for residents while fostering greater awareness about wildlife conservation.
“By developing guided wildlife trails and responsible tourism programs, we can help local people benefit economically while ensuring the protection of this endangered species,” Gautam added. Experts suggest that if managed sustainably, the Dhaulagiri region could emerge as an eco-tourism hub, similar to eastern Nepal’s Ilam and Taplejung districts, where red panda-based community tourism has shown promising results.
Conservation Significance
The latest study adds to growing evidence that Nepal’s western Himalayan region holds critical habitats for endangered wildlife beyond the well-known eastern ranges. The confirmation of multiple red pandas in Dhaulagiri offers hope for the species’ survival, emphasizing the importance of continued research, habitat protection, and community-led conservation initiatives. Environmentalists have called for the expansion of protected areas, increased camera-trap monitoring, and community-based forest management to secure the future of red pandas in the region.
