Introduction

Information on species distribution and habitat use is one of the important aspects of wildlife ecology. Such information is critical for the successful conservation of the species (Braun 2005). Species distribution models are being widely used in wildlife studies to answer some of those key biological questions (Sinclair et al. 2006). Distribution models establish a quantitative relationship between the relative occurrence of species and their bio-physical and environmental conditions in the landscape (Guisan & Zimmermann 2000; Elith et al. 2006; Phillips et al. 2004, 2006; Phillips & Dudik 2008). These models can provide essential information on habitat suitability, and key habitat attributes affecting species’ distribution. Such information obtained from the species distribution modelling eventually help identify and prioritize key conservation areas (Wilson et al. 2009).
Despite its broad geographical range across the Himalayas, red panda is patchily distributed and occurs at low densities (Thapa et al. 2018; Wei et al. 1999; Yonzon & Hunter1991). The red panda has been recorded within the altitudinal range of 1,500 - 1,800 m (Choudhury 2001), with a resemblance to that of habitats with dense, undergrowth bamboo (Choudhury 2001; 2006; Zhang et al. 2006). Red pandas are charismatic animals that make them an ideal flagship species for harnessing public support for biodiversity conservation (Yonzon & Hunter 1991a; Dorji et al. in press). However, this endangered species is vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and fragmentation (Yibo et al. 2020; Acharya et al. 2018; Glatston et al. 2015; Hu 2004; Williams 2003; Pradhan 2001; Choudhury 2001; Wei et al. 1999a and Glatston 1994). The poaching and demand of hides have further aggravated the threat in Nepal than other range countries (Bista et al. 2020; Badola et al. 2020). A new study classified red panda into two distinct species: Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens ) and Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) , Hu et al. 2020. Of these, the former species inhabits in Nepal and is more vulnerable to threats compared to its Chinese relative (Yibo et al. 2020).
Red panda is a habitat and diet specialist species. Available studies suggest that bamboo cover, tree canopy cover, and proximity to water are important attributes (Bista et al. 2017; Bista et al. 2019; Thapa et al. 2020). Bamboo contribute more than 83% of the total red panda diet (Yonzon & Hunter 1991b; Reid et al. 1991; Wei et al. 1999b). Being primarily a bamboo eater, the red panda has a very low metabolic rate (Wei et al. 2000). Red panda spends most of the time on foraging and sleeping on tree branches or in tree hollows during the day (Yonzon & Hunter 1991a; Wei & Zhang 2011). This animal use elevated objects, such as shrub branches, fallen logs, or tree stumps to reach bamboo leaves. This elusive animal frequently uses few latrine sites for defecation (Yonzon 1989). In Nepal, red panda presence has been documented from 24 districts and seven protected areas with potential habitat of 13,800 km2 to 24,000 km2 (Bista et al. 2016; Panthi et al. 2019; Thapa et al. 2020).
Similarly, occurring in a remote part of the Himalayan landscape, the red panda species remains poorly known, and the available database of the total population of species is possibly underestimated due to scarce records of occurrence. To date, most studies have focused on observational surveys of indirect indicators like feces and pugmarks (Pradhan et al. 2001; Wei, Feng, Wang, & Hu, 1999; Yonzon & Hunter, 1991) as well as discussions with specialists and local communities (Jnawali et al. 2012; Wei et al. 2014). A comprehensive study on distribution and habitat attributes in the western range is still lacking. Potential distribution and habitat-related attributes associated with red panda distribution has been broadly examined in Nepal (Thapa et al. 2019; Bista et al. 2017; Bista et al. 2019; Williams 2003). However, very few studies have discussed on red panda distribution and habitat use in the western range (Thapa 2019; Bhatta et al. 2014; Bista et al. 2019). Available studies have either covered western range in a small-scale (Bhatta et al. 2014), or covered it as a part of the large-scale study (Thapa et al. 2019; Panthi et al. 2019; Bista et al. 2019). Long-term conservation of red panda requires site-specific detailed information from this range. In addition, the habitat use trend vary across the distribution range due to uneven micro-habitat conditions (Bista et al. 2019). However, the available studies do not provide sufficient information on habitat use from the western-most distribution range. These facts underpin the need of a comprehensive study in this one of the least explored red panda range.