As per reports the endangered red panda is falling prey to the traps for the musk deer and wild pigs. The animal used to be hunted for its meat and fur, besides illegal capture for the pet trade. Around 14,500 animals are left in the wild across Nepal, Bhutan, India, China and Myanmar.
Researchers discovered that India and Bhutan had not reported any cases of poaching or illegal trade in red pandas from 2010 – 2016.
In a report titled ‘Assessment of illegal trade-related threats to Red Panda in India and selected neighbouring range countries,’ poaching and illegal trade of the species were analysed by researchers.
A drop in the number of poaching and illegal trade cases indicate that the awareness campaigns have succeeded. It may also mean that younger people in the areas are not keen on using the pelt of meat of the animal.
Approximately, 5,000-6,000 red pandas are said to be present in four Indian states which include Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim and West Bengal. China houses around 6,000-7,000, while Nepal has around 580, while Bhutan and Myanmar have no calculation of the mammal’s current population.
11 districts in Arunachal Pradesh have reported sightings. It is presumed to have the largest red panda population in the country.
