KATHMANDU, March 25: The Omuta City Zoo located in Fukuoka, Japan, has formalized its commitment to assist in the conservation of Nepal's red pandas. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was ceremoniously exchanged between the zoo and the Red Panda Network, a prominent organization dedicated to the protection of red pandas. The event took place in Kathmandu on Friday, marking a pivotal moment for conservation efforts.

Dr Kanako Tomisawa, representing Omuta City Zoo, and Ang Phuri Sherpa, the executive director of the Red Panda Network, are the signatories of the MoU. This collaboration signifies the Japanese zoo's pledge to offer technical support and facilitate awareness initiatives aimed at the conservation of the red panda.

Dr Tomisawa highlighted the zoo's plans to engage visitors in these conservation efforts by placing donation boxes on the zoo premises. She expressed her enthusiasm about contributing to wildlife conservation in Nepal. "We are delighted to support the conservation of Nepal's wildlife, particularly the red pandas, through this partnership," Dr Tomisawa stated.

Ang Phuri Sherpa underscored the importance of this international collaboration in bolstering Nepal's red panda conservation activities. He revealed plans to install cameras in red panda habitats to monitor their behavior and enhance protection measures. Additionally, the partnership will focus on raising awareness among local communities, government officials, and schoolchildren about the significance of preserving red pandas.

Red pandas are nocturnal creatures, most active during dawn and dusk. They predominantly feed on the leaves and stems of bamboo species like Drepanostachyum, Himalayacalamus, Thamnocalamus (locally known as Nigalo), and Eushania (known as Malingo). Native to the southeastern regions of China, extending through Myanmar, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, red pandas face the constant threat of habitat fragmentation, posing a significant challenge to their conservation.

The species has experienced a drastic decline in numbers, with an estimated 50 percent decrease between 1997 and 2015. In response, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the red panda as an endangered species in 2015. It is also listed under Schedule 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), highlighting the critical need for concerted conservation efforts.

 
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