Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in free-ranging Red Panda Ailurus fulgens Cuvier, 1825 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ailuridae) in Nepal

<p>The Red Panda <em>Ailurus fulgens</em> is a small carnivore that is adapted to a mainly herbivorous diet.  The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in a free-ranging population of Red Pandas in a community forest in Nepal.  A total of...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sonam Tashi Lama, Rinzin Phunjok Lama, Ganga Ram Regmi, Tirth Raj Ghimire
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society 2015-06-01
Series:Journal of Threatened Taxa
Subjects:
Online Access:http://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/2113
Description
Summary:<p>The Red Panda <em>Ailurus fulgens</em> is a small carnivore that is adapted to a mainly herbivorous diet.  The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in a free-ranging population of Red Pandas in a community forest in Nepal.  A total of 23 faecal samples were collected and examined.  Protozoa infections were the most common and cestode infections occurred the least.  Our findings suggest that parasites might be a significant problem for the health of the Red Pandas in the study area.  Molecular methods should be used to further investigate the taxonomic position of the parasites and their role in threatening the resilience of Red Panda populations in Nepal. </p><div> </div>
ISSN:0974-7893
0974-7907