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- Title
SEASONAL DIET OF WILD RED PANDA (AILURUS FULGENS) IN LANGTANG NATIONAL PARK, NEPAL HIMALAYA.
- Authors
THAPA, Arjun; BASNET, Khadga
- Abstract
We examined seasonal diet composition and food niche breadth of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens F. Cuvier 1825) in Langtang National Park, Nepal. The study, which was conducted in the Gopache, Dhokachet, and Trishuli areas of the park, employed field survey and lab techniques. For micro-histological analysis, a total of 161 red panda's fecal pellets and reference plants materials were collected from line transects (n = 12) laid between elevation between 3000-3600m with 150m altitudinal interval. Results showed the red panda's diet comprises eight different plant species, which were further categorized into: 'bamboo', 'tree', 'herbs', 'shrubs' and 'moss' and 'unidentified'. Bamboo (Thamnocalamus aristatus) (̅X = 245.08±15.74%) contributed the most followed by moss (̅X = 5.91±1.95%), Himalayan whitebeam Sorbus cuspidata (̅X = 5.83±1.22%), drooping juniper Juniperus recurva (̅X = 1.08±071.95%), Arahaga maple Acer caudatum (̅X = 1.00±0.38%), and small proportions of other species including Rhododendron campanulatum, Abies spectabilis, and Rubus sp. All these plants except T. aristatus, which is consumed in all seasons and varied seasonally (X2 > 0.001, df = 11, P > 0.05) in their contribution to the red panda's diet. Food niche breadth determination showed a low value (0.000104), which suggests highly selective foraging. Unidentified hairs, bones and claws were also observed in few fecal samples.
- Publication
International Journal of Conservation Science, 2015, Vol 6, Issue 2, p261
- ISSN
2067-533X
- Publication type
Academic Journal