Guest guest Posted August 6, 2006 Report Share Posted August 6, 2006 http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/content.php?nid=682 Number of red panda increases in the eastern hills [ 2006-8-6 ] By Our Correspondent IIAM, Aug. 5: The number of red panda, one of the animals enlisted in the endangered list, has been rising for the past two years in the northern part of Ilam and Taplejung in east Nepal. This might be because those who were involved in poaching of the animal in Hangetham, Choyatar, Kaiyakatta, Kalapokhari and Lal Bas areas of Ilam district, are now active in conserving the red panda and other rare wild animals like snow leopard and black bear. Locals of Ilam and Panchthar were provided conservation training by TMI, an organization working in conservation, two years ago. Yuvaraj P.C., an official at the organisation, said that the locals were trained to conserve the natural habitats of red panda. Earlier, the locals used to catch and sell the rare pandas in the Indian market. They would get Rs. 10,000 for a live panda and could get Rs. 5,000 for its raw skin. Shiva Kumar Tamang, a local in Choyatar of Jamuna, said that there are about a dozen pandas in the area. ?The numbers increased after the local poachers realised that it was illegal to poach the endangered animal.? Brian Williams, a researcher of California State University who had spent seven months in Ilam three years ago, had found three dead and four live red pandas in the area. Red Panda is a small and shy animal. It prefers secluded forest area as its habitat and likes to eat bamboo shoots and wild fruits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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