The mighty Himalayas are a naturalist’s playground. Clean, crisp air, fabulous scenery and splendid forested hillsides play host to many of Earth’s most sought-after birds including fabulous pheasants, delicate parrotbills and the unique Ibisbill and Wallcreeper. This month however we shine the spotlight onto one of the Himalayas most sought-after mammals, the beautiful Himalayan Red Panda.
Interestingly this elusive and mysterious mammal was described by western scientists 50 years before the Giant Panda, and despite a shared affinity for bamboo and their shared name, the two species are not closely related. Himalayan Red Pandas are much smaller than Giant Pandas and are one of only two living members of their taxonomic family (Ailuridae). The other being the recently recognised Chinese Red Panda, which was split from Himalayan Red Panda back in 2020.
Encountering the Himalayan Red Panda in Nepal is a magical experience, offering a glimpse into one of nature’s most enchanting creatures in its true, wild home. The journey itself is filled with anticipation. The air is crisp and filled with the scent of pine and damp earth. Walking along trails surrounded by ancient trees, you become immersed in a sense of quiet reverence, aware that you’re sharing the space with one of the world’s most special creatures.
Once seen, time slows, and nature takes centre stage. Its reddish-brown fur glowing against the green of the forest, its expressive face peering down from a branch or slowly moving through the bamboo, nibbling on shoots. It is now evident how well-adapted this species is to its habitat, semi-retractable claws helping it move easily from branch to branch, relying on its long, bushy tail for balance.
Interestingly, Red Pandas scent-mark territories using anal glands and urine, as well as scent glands located between their footpads. These scent glands on the bottom of the feet exude a colourless liquid that is odourless to humans. They have the unique ability to test odours using the underside of the tongue, which has a cone-like structure for collecting liquid and bringing it close to a gland inside the mouth. It is the only carnivore with this adaptation.
As touched on earlier the Himalayas are home to a spectacular array of birds with the likes of Himalayan Monal, Temminck’s, Blyth’s and Satyr Tragopans, Blood, Cheer and Koklass Pheasants, Ward’s Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Himalayan Cutia, and the striking Fire-tailed Myzornis taking centre stage.
On our tours below, we’ll be exploring many seldom visited and remote destinations in Nepal, and Northeast India, taking in all the avian specialities we can find, along with an exceptional variety of mammals too, like Asian Elephant, Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, Ganges River Dolphin and even possibilities for Bengal Tiger!
Finally, to see and enjoy an experience with Chinese Red Panda one needs to head across to Sichuan, China. There are a few excellent sites for this species now on our regular China – Sichuan Birding Tours, and earlier this year all 4 of our Sichuan tours had incredible sightings.
