Introduction
Information on species distribution and habitat use is one of the
important aspects of wildlife ecology. Such information is critical for
the successful conservation of the species (Braun 2005). Species
distribution models are being widely used in wildlife studies to answer
some of those key biological questions (Sinclair et al. 2006).
Distribution models establish a quantitative relationship between the
relative occurrence of species and their bio-physical and environmental
conditions in the landscape (Guisan & Zimmermann 2000; Elith et al.
2006; Phillips et al. 2004, 2006; Phillips & Dudik 2008). These models
can provide essential information on habitat suitability, and key
habitat attributes affecting species’ distribution. Such information
obtained from the species distribution modelling eventually help
identify and prioritize key conservation areas (Wilson et al. 2009).
Despite its broad geographical range across the Himalayas, red panda is
patchily distributed and occurs at low densities (Thapa et al. 2018; Wei
et al. 1999; Yonzon & Hunter1991). The red panda has been recorded
within the altitudinal range of 1,500 - 1,800 m (Choudhury 2001), with a
resemblance to that of habitats with dense, undergrowth bamboo
(Choudhury 2001; 2006; Zhang et al. 2006). Red pandas are charismatic
animals that make them an ideal flagship species for harnessing public
support for biodiversity conservation (Yonzon & Hunter 1991a; Dorji et
al. in press). However, this endangered species is vulnerable to
extinction due to habitat loss and fragmentation (Yibo et al. 2020;
Acharya et al. 2018; Glatston et al. 2015; Hu 2004; Williams 2003;
Pradhan 2001; Choudhury 2001; Wei et al. 1999a and Glatston 1994). The
poaching and demand of hides have further aggravated the threat in Nepal
than other range countries (Bista et al. 2020; Badola et al. 2020). A
new study classified red panda into two distinct species: Himalayan red
panda (Ailurus fulgens ) and Chinese red panda (Ailurus
styani) , Hu et al. 2020. Of these, the former species inhabits in Nepal
and is more vulnerable to threats compared to its Chinese relative (Yibo
et al. 2020).
Red panda is a habitat and diet specialist species. Available studies
suggest that bamboo cover, tree canopy cover, and proximity to water are
important attributes (Bista et al. 2017; Bista et al. 2019; Thapa et al.
2020). Bamboo contribute more than 83% of the total red panda diet
(Yonzon & Hunter 1991b; Reid et al. 1991; Wei et al. 1999b). Being
primarily a bamboo eater, the red panda has a very low metabolic rate
(Wei et al. 2000). Red panda spends most of the time on foraging and
sleeping on tree branches or in tree hollows during the day (Yonzon &
Hunter 1991a; Wei & Zhang 2011). This animal use elevated objects, such
as shrub branches, fallen logs, or tree stumps to reach bamboo leaves.
This elusive animal frequently uses few latrine sites for defecation
(Yonzon 1989). In Nepal, red panda presence has been documented from 24
districts and seven protected areas with potential habitat of 13,800
km2 to 24,000 km2 (Bista et al.
2016; Panthi et al. 2019; Thapa et al. 2020).
Similarly, occurring in a remote part of the Himalayan landscape, the
red panda species remains poorly known, and the available database of
the total population of species is possibly underestimated due to scarce
records of occurrence. To date, most studies have focused on
observational surveys of indirect indicators like feces and pugmarks
(Pradhan et al. 2001; Wei, Feng, Wang, & Hu, 1999; Yonzon & Hunter,
1991) as well as discussions with specialists and local communities
(Jnawali et al. 2012; Wei et al. 2014). A comprehensive study on
distribution and habitat attributes in the western range is still
lacking. Potential distribution and habitat-related attributes
associated with red panda distribution has been broadly examined in
Nepal (Thapa et al. 2019; Bista et al. 2017; Bista et al. 2019; Williams
2003). However, very few studies have discussed on red panda
distribution and habitat use in the western range (Thapa 2019; Bhatta et
al. 2014; Bista et al. 2019). Available studies have either covered
western range in a small-scale (Bhatta et al. 2014), or covered it as a
part of the large-scale study (Thapa et al. 2019; Panthi et al. 2019;
Bista et al. 2019). Long-term conservation of red panda requires
site-specific detailed information from this range. In addition, the
habitat use trend vary across the distribution range due to uneven
micro-habitat conditions (Bista et al. 2019). However, the available
studies do not provide sufficient information on habitat use from the
western-most distribution range. These facts underpin the need of a
comprehensive study in this one of the least explored red panda range.