Taplejung, October 13:

In a first of its kind, the rare Red Panda, which is found only in scarce pockets in the world, has been sighted in the Kanchanjungha conservation area for the first time. “We happened to see this rare creature at Aalugauda in Kanchanjungah Conservation Area (KCA),” pilgrims returning from Pathibhara said.

The creature with pointed ears, with a long tail and greyish in colour was brought to the place by a local journalist Tara Sitaula, said the pilgrims.

Red Pandas, which are found in areas full of Nigalo (a bamboo-like plant) in the Himalayan region rely on leaves Nigalo leaves. Later on, the rare red panda was sent to its proper habitat, said Parag Shrestha, planning officer at KCA.

The creature, which was brought to KCA on Friday, was sent to its own habitat the next morning, said Shrestha.

The Red Pandas, which also feed on wild mushrooms, tree bark and rats, are found in Bhutan, Myanmar, India, Lagos, the Tibetan region of China and Sichuan, apart from Nepal.