Mobile app being used to monitor red panda

Phidim, October 14

A mobile application is being used to monitor movement of red panda, a rare species, in eastern hill districts, including Panchthar, Ilam, and Taplejung.

Wildlife conservation activists in the districts have started using this mobile app, introduced in coordination with the local Red Panda Network, to observe the activities of red pandas.

The conservation programme was jointly launched in 2011 by local Deep Jyoti Youth Club in Panchthar, Himali Conservation Forum in Taplejung, and High Hill Herbal Conservation Forum. The second phase of conservation programme is being launched in those districts at present.

Wildlife activists were provided training to use the app.

Programme Coordinator of the Red Panda Network Pema Sherpa said that one smartphone each was provided in each VDC where the endangered species is available in the first phase as an experiment.

Wildlife activists who have received the phones have been entrusted with recording situation, speed, appearance, direction, and signs of the red panda and upload it into the network through internet. “This methodology was adopted as a modern and easy means of reporting about the rare species,” said Sherpa.

Earlier, GPS and other technologies had also been introduced to track the movement of the rare species. Seven smartphones were distributed in Ilam, five in Panchthar, and 14 in Taplejung after the training was completed.