Where do Red Pandas call their home?
Courtesy by Redpandanetwork
Red pandas range extents from western Nepal to northern Myanmar. They generally live in cooler areas where there is little seasonally variation. Since they are dependent on bamboo plants they find themselves restricted to certain areas that can provide them with their main food source (Redpandanetwork). According, to Habitat Correlates of the Red Panda in the Temperate Forests of Bhutan the studies conducted arose a conflict between the needs of humans and the needs of red pandas due to the their mutual reliance on the forests of Bhutan. For example, people use the forests for timber and other non timber products and the red pandas need the forest for the temperate fir, abundant bamboo, and available water sources for their sustainable living (Dorji, Vernes, & Rajarathan, 2011). According to Dorji et al., (2011), "However, because of the common reliance on forests by humans and red pandas, sustainable management of temperate forests to meet the needs of people will have a positive flow-on effect for red panda conservation, and generally contribute to Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness though the promotion of environmental conservation" (p. 7). Research shows that in order to create a balance between both parties there has to be management in Bhutan's temperate forests whom will determine the needs for both parties. And how well both their needs will be addressed. Also, yak herders along with other community groups work on reducing human damage (such as the hunting and the capturing of red pandas) on the red panda fragile habitats. They find other fuel alternatives instead of cutting down red panda habitat for wood. For example, they use yak dung briquettes which in turn generates income and fuel. Another technique used is tourism which also generates income for them and brings no harm to the red pandas habitats (WWF).