Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Supporting since 2014
Location
Nepal
Support started
2014
Species
Red panda
Mission
The Red Panda Network is committed to the conservation of wild red pandas and their habitat through the education and empowerment of local communities, working via a a community-based conservation approach in community forests across Nepal..
Donations:
Donations to help sponsor a forest guardian to monitor and protect red panda habitat, as well as educate communities on the importance of the red panda.
2024 – 2025:
€250 donated this year.
Background
The Red Panda Network (RPN) established the world’s first community-based monitoring programme of red pandas and their habitat through empowering, educating and engaging local communities in red panda conservation, along with providing livelihood incentives.
One of the key initiatives contributing to the success is the Forest Guardian (FG) programme. FGs are on-the-ground partners, who are paid to monitor and protect red panda habitat and support red panda conservation through multiple activities, such as monitoring red panda populations and habitat, generating population estimates, identifying threats and developing threat mitigation strategies. They are also involved in carrying out anti-poaching patrolling and work as panda trackers during eco-trips. Perhaps the most important role these FGs have is within their own communities. Each FG works within his or her respective village to build awareness of the importance of red pandas in the local ecosystem.
Currently there are 126 professional FGs who are invested in sustainable development and red panda conservation. In 2024, support for 25 FGs is provided by European Zoo red panda holders.
Achievements and Objectives
Training is vital for FGs and continues annually with focus on habitat monitoring, the use of innovative technologies, wildlife rescue and handling, camera trap handling and installation and community-based forest fire management training.
The FGs also work within their forest blocks, remarking trails, monitoring red panda populations and conducting anti-poaching patrolling. Monitoring blocks are crucial for the regular surveillance of red pandas and their habitats. Each block consists of four elevational transects spanning 1 km each, marked with enamel paints for identification. However, over time, these paint markings fade due to weather conditions, necessitating the remarking of blocks. Regular monitoring of red pandas and their habitat is conducted in every three-month time interval. FGs remove traps and snares, record information about poaching signs and report to the enforcement agencies.
Educational support via scholarships and engaging FGs as volunteers in the red panda marathon is key to educating about the importance of red panda conservation but also fostering environmental stewardship. Livelihood support is also provided by integrating solar power into communities, which not only promises a cleaner, more sustainable energy source, but also introduces a myriad of social and economic benefits.
