The temporary police post at Mathillio Fedi near Pathibhara Temple said an adult red panda was found dead at Harket near the Pathibhara entry route, according to Pathibhara Temple Area Conservation and Promotion Committee Chairman Dilli Jung Maden. Maden said the red panda had scars on its face. [break]
Conservationists are worried as three red pandas were found dead at separate places last month. Two red pandas were found dead at Lose of Sumdo Hanspokhari Community Forest in Lelep-8, less than three weeks after an adult member of the endangered species was found dead in Fumbu Village Development Committee (VDC) at an altitude of around 2,400 meters in Pathibhara region.
The cause of their deaths has not been revealed yet. District Forest Officer Naresh Thakur said the red pandas may have started to die in higher altitude as their food source has exhausted in the lower belt.
Conservationists have expressed concerns that frequent deaths would undo efforts to conserve the species and urged the experts to study about the status of red pandas.
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