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Assessment of status and distribution of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens ) in Simsime community forest of Papung VDC of Taplejung district,Nepal

Writer
B. Lama1
Abstract
In 2011 A.D., the study was carried out to assess status, habitat characteristics and threats to Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) in Simsime community forest of Papung VDC of Taplejung district. Transect line survey was conducted in three transect lines along the contours with altitude interval of 200m from elevation 2800m to 3400m. Moving along transect line, Red Panda signs such as pellets, footprints and nests were searched and GPS points were recorded only in the places where signs of Red Panda presence were observed in the field. Red Panda signs were found in Simsime community forest at height of 3026m, 3125m and 3127m. Overall sign encounter rate for Simsime community forest of Papung VDC was 1.36/km. Habitat assessment was simultaneously conducted to describe its habitat characteristics in Simsime community forest of Papung VDC. Square plots of 10m*10m, 4m*4m and 1m*1m were taken to sample vegetation (trees, shrubs and herbs respectively) along contour lines between elevations 2800m and 3400m with an altitudinal interval of 200m and the adjacent plots spaced by 100m. Then, number and diameter at breast height of major species in the plots were measured. Juniperous spp., Pinus spp., Acer spp. and Rhododendron spp. were the major tree species among which Acer was the species with highest Importance Value Index (IVI) whereas Arundinaria maling was the major shrub species with highest relative frequency (RF). According to direct field observation, major threats to Red Panda were grazing and bamboo cutting on which majority of respondents agreed.
Keywords
Red Panda, status, transect line, assessment, encounter rate, habitat characteristics, signs

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