Red Panda population survey in Bhutan 

To ascertain the population abundance and distribution of red panda and understand red panda genetic diversity and structure, and population viability in Bhutan, a red panda population survey was carried out. Led by the Department of Forests and Park Services, the survey was carried out between 2022-2023 and the report launched in 2024, on World Ranger Day.  

Red panda is the only living species of the family Ailuridae and found in southeast Asian countries of India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bhutan and Southern China. The global population of red panda is estimated at less than 10,000 and the population trend is declining because of rapid fragmentation and loss of habitat, accident killing, poaching, habitat encroachment and resource competition, and mass bamboo flowering among others. Therefore, the species is listed as endangered in the IUCN red list of threatened species, and it also receives the highest protection under the Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (www.checklist.cites.org). Across its range, the red panda has a high degree of legal protection. 

In Bhutan, there has been limited study on the ecology of red panda, and they are mostly restricted in the protected areas. However, based on the opportunistic sightings, indirect evidence such as red panda droppings and bycatch data from nationwide camera trapping exercises for tiger, red panda has been recorded in elevation range between 2,400 m to 3,700 m and its presence confirmed in19 of the 20 districts both within and outside the protected areas. It is listed as a protected species under Schedule-I of the Forest and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995. The species also has cultural significances as it is believed to be a reincarnation of a Buddhist monk. To conserve the red pandas in Bhutan, a national conservation action plan was developed in 2018 by the Department of Forests and Park Services. With a goal to strengthen red panda conservation programs and restore habitats through a landscape conservation approach, the Red Panda Conservation Action Plan 2018 has identified major threats and challenges that impede red panda conservation. The action plan outlines the need to increase the knowledge and understanding of the species through which conducting population survey is one of the key activities.  

Although, red panda presence was recorded from 19 out of 20 dzongkhags (districts) in Bhutan, there was no information on the population of the species. Therefore, knowing the status of the red panda population was imperative before undertaking any species conservation activities. Unlike the species with unique coat markings like tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards and many small cat species, it is almost impossible to identify red pandas through camera trap photographs. Thus, non-invasive genetics is a recommended method to survey red panda population. Non-invasive genetics study is also important to map species genetic diversity to understand population viability and susceptibility to diseases and other natural threats to the species survival.