According to the report, which was based on a study conducted by biologist Tulasi Subedi for Red Panda Network, an NGO working to protect red panda, habitat loss has forced these endangered species to move down to as low as 2,000 meters from the sea level.
"In bamboo forests of Taplejung, red pandas are now found only below 2,800 meters from the sea level," Subedi told Repbulica. "They have moved down to as low as 2,000 meters from the sea level."
Until a few years ago, red pandas, which mainly feed on bamboo shoots, were found at the altitude between 2,400 to 3,900 meters from the sea level. "If we fail to protect bamboo forests in the high hills, red pandas will gradually become extinct," said Naresh Thakure, chief of District Forest Office of Taplejung.
Last year, as many as six red pandas were found dead in bamboo forests of Taplejung, prompting red panda experts and conservation activists to conduct research on the possible causes of deaths of the rare species.
Subedi´s study was also prompted by a series of red panda deaths. In his report, Subedi has concluded that last year´s red panda deaths were also caused by habitat loss. "As they could not find enough food in high hills, they started moving downhill and failed to adapt to the new conditions," said he.
Red pandas are found in the high hills of Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Panchthar, Ilam and Solukhumbu, among other districts.
Red panda has been listed by the government as one of 27 protected and rare species.
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