Figure 5.1 - Red Panda Network Logo (redpandanetwork.org)
The Red Panda Network "is committed to the conservation of wild red pandas and their habitat through the education and empowerment of local communities (Red Panda Network, 2014)." They are a devoted group that strives to save wild red pandas and preserve their natural habitat. This is achieved through community research, education, and carbon mitigation.
Their research is conducted Panchthar, Ilam and Taplejung districts of Eastern Nepal. This research has made the local communities in the surrounding areas more aware of the red panda's habitat loss and pouching issues. The general public takes part in Project Punde Kundo; train individuals in the villages to become "forest guardians" to learn and conduct more research. The Red Panda Network has been successful in training 12 new people each year for the past 6 years (Red Panda Network, 2014).
The villages surrounding the red panda's habitat is educated through the "forest guardian" program. They learn of the importance of the red panda and about the fragile ecosystem that both the student and red pandas live in. There are currently 30 schools that participate in "forest ranger" training (Red Panda Network, 2014). This creates awareness for future generations about forest conservation and the importance of rationalizing resources. This organization also educates worldwide. They have partnered with various institutions, such as the Smithsonian National Zoological Park to make the public more aware of threats toward red pandas.
Their research is conducted Panchthar, Ilam and Taplejung districts of Eastern Nepal. This research has made the local communities in the surrounding areas more aware of the red panda's habitat loss and pouching issues. The general public takes part in Project Punde Kundo; train individuals in the villages to become "forest guardians" to learn and conduct more research. The Red Panda Network has been successful in training 12 new people each year for the past 6 years (Red Panda Network, 2014).
The villages surrounding the red panda's habitat is educated through the "forest guardian" program. They learn of the importance of the red panda and about the fragile ecosystem that both the student and red pandas live in. There are currently 30 schools that participate in "forest ranger" training (Red Panda Network, 2014). This creates awareness for future generations about forest conservation and the importance of rationalizing resources. This organization also educates worldwide. They have partnered with various institutions, such as the Smithsonian National Zoological Park to make the public more aware of threats toward red pandas.
Figure 5.2 - Group of "Forest Guardians" (redpandanetwork.org)
The Red Panda Network participates in conservation efforts with Community based projects. One of these projects was creating a secure habitat for red pandas. The Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung Red Panda Protected Forest was created. This is the world’s first protected area dedicated to the red panda. This location contains approximately 25% of Nepal’s red panda population (Red Panda Network, 2014).
Figure 5.3 - World Wildlife Fund Logo (worldwildlife.org)
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The WWF is known for helping endangered animals worldwide. They have also contributed in the protection of red pandas. They have also contributed to community awareness. WWF works with the local people to reduce the impact of humans on the fragile ecosystem (World Wildlife Fund, 2014).
The organization also monitors red panda movement in India, Nepal and Bhutan to learn more about this species.
The organization also monitors red panda movement in India, Nepal and Bhutan to learn more about this species.
Zoos
There are over 80 zoos that support the conservation of red pandas, such as the Toronto Zoo, Banham Zoo, Sacreento Zoo, and Aalborg Zoo (Red Panda Network, 2014). The majority of these zoos have management programs to sustain their healthy population. In North America this Program is called the Red Panda Species Survival Program (SSP). They keep record of the number of red pandas in the continent, determine mating patterns and make long-term plans of management and research tactics. Australia, Europe, China and Japan also have management programs (Red Panda Network, 2014).