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Research

In order to understand the effectiveness of an endangered species conservation program, it is essential to have an accurate baseline number of the species population.  In the case of the red panda this is absent.  To date, only three studies have been conducted to observe the status of red panda in the wild. Two of these studies were conducted in a small portion of its range and the other study was bsed largely on anecdotal information.  Therefore, there is a dire need to conduct range-wide status surveys and baseline research.

Once we have a baseline population number, we can use it to monitor the effectiveness of our conservation efforts.  The Red Panda Project’s objective is to conduct non-invasive, cost-effective status surveys throughout the red panda’s range by 2011.  We are developing an innovative survey method based on DNA analysis, 35 mm camera and video trapping to determine the number of red panda that use communal latrines. We plan to use this information in our “forest guardian” program, a survey and monitoring program that is conducted by local villagers.  We educate village stewards about our “forest guardian” survey and monitoring methodology and give them on-the-job training and provide technical assistance after the program is operational.   Our goal is to train 16-20 forest guardians a year in each red panda “hotspot.” This program is crucial to our success because it creates real ownership by local villagers and is the base from which we conduct the rest of our activities.

Click here to launch the Project Pude Kudo blog, documenting Red Pandas in the wild, as well as Brian's thoughts while staying in Nepal.

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Publications

Red Panda Project work published in Conservation Biology in Asia, published by Society for Conservation Biology and Resources Himalaya. Download the article.

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