PHUNGLING, Sept 23: As part of the ongoing efforts to conserve Red Panda, which is enlisted in the endangered category of the IUCN, the dogs in the districts are sterilized, vaccinated against rabies and are given vitamin citing that the Red Panda have remained insecure from the dog bite.
The dogs from the community often attack Red Panda in the nearby forest, making the endangered species further vulnerable. The new campaign was launched by the Mountain Conservation Forum with the support from Red Panda Network.
Program Coordinator of the Forum, Ramesh Rai, said the program is conducted in coordination with the local level. He said that control of dogs is needed to conserve the number of Red Panda.
Rai added that 85 dogs were sterilized last year while 13 other dogs were sterilized in Phurumbu. Besides sterilization, the dogs are given anti-rabies vaccine and vitamins since vaccines and vitamins given to the dogs also help to conserve Red Panda.
According to Rai, the dogs will not prefer hunting after gaining significant weight as a result of good health, thereby contributing to conservation of Red Panda.
Rai further shared that cats in the nearby communities, where the Red Panda are found, are also vaccinated against rabies and are given vitamins. He shared that 403 dogs and 42 cats were vaccinated against rabies and vitamins administered last week in Phawakhola, Phurumbu, Pathibhara, Tiringe, Thechambu and other areas.
The intervention was carried out in Sikaicha, Khewang, Yamphudin, Sawa, Papung and other areas too.
(RSS)