Thanks to people like Bimala Moktan, we won't have to!

In this issue of Red Panda Network eNews, the story of ForestGuardian Bimala Moktan, guarding red pandas from extinction,update on stopping the illegal red panda trade, last chance to signup for a 2019 ecotrip and the 10th annual IRPD!

Nobody Ever Said, "Saving Red Pandas Is Easy"

The terrain is steep and difficult, the weather isunpredictable, the journey: treacherous at times. ButForest Guardian Bimala Moktan is up to the challenge ofprotecting endangered red pandas.

Bimala Moktan was 24 when she joined RPN's Forest Guardian (FG) team.Her uncle, Deu Prakash Tamang, had been an FG since 2006 and wasamong the first selected by Red Panda Network (RPN). In 2015, Tamangled a team of villagers to chase four poachers who had trapped a live redpanda. They were able to free the animal from the poachers and release itback into the wild.

Tamang later stepped down so a new generation could protect the forest,and Bimala wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Tamang showing sack used by poachers. Photo: RPN/Jiwan Rai.

Over the years, the forests near Prangbung have been cut down anddegraded by illegal timber collection and over-harvest of NTFPs. The naturalwater sources gradually dried out due to haphazard road construction inthe mountains.

"The need to save our forests and the wildlife that lives there is no longerdeniable," said Bimala.

Bimala like all FGs, patrols red panda habitat four times a year, monitorsthe status of forests, collects snares or traps placed by poachers to catchwildlife (including red panda). She also checks for forest fires during dryseasons and monitors the conditions of local water sources.

Forest Guardians during training in Panchthar District. Photo:PemaSherpa/RPN

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Your Himalayan Adventure Awaits!

Time is running out for your last chance this year to experience red pandasin the wild with RPN! Sign up for our December 13-21, 2019 ecotripto Taplejung, Eastern Nepal or one of our 2020 ecotrips today!

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I Can't Imagine A World Without Red Pandas

Since April of this year, nearly 70 people have joined ourPanda Guardian team -- kicking off 2019 as a pivotal yearfor guarding red pandas from extinction.

Fourteen local people villages in Ilam and Panchthar were selected as thefirst Forest Guardians (FGs) by the Red Panda Project. The goal of the FGprogram was to engage and empower community members to safeguardtheir forests and protect a rare and endangered mammal of the Himalayas:the red panda.

The goals of the FG program have not changed and has since grown to100 members! The program has also expanded to seven additional districtsin Western Nepal and now extends to nearly one million acres of forest and50% of Nepal's red panda range.

Words from Panda Guardian member, Veronica.

This level of growth has been made possible by the generosity andcommitment of RPN's Panda Guardian team.

Panda Guardian is the title given to RPN's monthly donors. Theircontinuous support allows RPN to commit to lasting and sustainableconservation initiatives in red panda countries. In 2018, PandaGuardians raised $23,643 for red pandas and in 2019 we are ontrack to surpass this amount.

This is huge for the FG program which is the cornerstone for RPN'scommunity-based approach and sustainable livelihood initiatives. The PandaGuardian team directly supports FG salaries and capacity-building trainings.

Capacity-building training for FGs in Panchthar district, Eastern Nepal.

Participants of capacity-building training.

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IRPD 2019

The 10th annual International Red Panda Day (IRPD) is lessthan two months away: September 21st, 2019! Join us on thisimportant day of raising red panda awareness by checking if your localzoo has an event listed on our official webpage. If they don't, call oremail your zoo and ask them to celebrate IRPD!

Here is the official 2019 IRPD logo - by Jenny Karkoska Design, LLC.Please feel free to share the logo on social media (with the hashtag#IRPD2019) and stay tuned for t-shirts! Learn More

Stop The Illegal Red Panda Trade - 2019Update Never before has illegal wildlife trade been such a threat tothe future of the endangered species of our planet. A colossal ivory market continues to grow and fuel the rapid decline ofelephants and rhinos (three rhino subspecies have been declared extinctsince 2011). Meanwhile, the last wild tigers-estimates are roughly 3,800remaining-are relentlessly targeted for their skin, parts, and bones.

These are just some of the popular megafauna. Smaller, less-knownspecies like pangolins and red pandas have also been experiencingunprecedented levels of illicit trade.

Pangolin rescued in Eastern Nepal.

Camera trap photo by Sonam Lama/RPN and Rotterdam Zoo.

Pangolins have been identified as the most trafficked mammal in the worldwith almost 1 million pangolins trafficked in the past 10 years. Whiletrafficking estimates for red panda is not quite as staggering,poaching of the endangered species is on the rise and harmingpopulations that are already vulnerable due to habitat loss.

The demand behind trafficked red pandas is still not entirely clear. Whileseveral reasons have emerged, such as the pelts being used as hats inceremonies in China, a significant reason is the growing popularity of redpandas among illicit pet trade. This includes red pandas being illegallypurchased as pets, or used as an animal attraction at private resorts.

The Wildlife Crime Pillar under the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) ofNepal Police reports that between 2008 and 2019 there were 102 seizuresof red panda hides- six confiscated by authorities in Western Nepal and onein Kathmandu in 2019-and 170 people arrested in the country fortrafficking. "Red pandas are threatened by poachers though the market anddemand for red panda products is unknown in Nepal and China," said anofficial with CIB.

Man arrested in Rukum District for possession of red panda hides. Continue reading article

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