Can you see red panda independently? (1 Viewer)

[Winterdune]

Hi all,

I'm aware of the Red Panda Network trips but just wondered if there is anywhere in the world where it's possible to see them independently. Or maybe with a guide for a couple of days if necessary.

Thanks
Sean

 

[Andy Adcock]

They're 'possible' over quite a large range including parts of the Himalayas in Nepal but you have to be extremely lucky.

 

[Winterdune]

Yes I realise that. Was just wondering if there were some places where they were known to be a bit easier.

 

[kitefarrago]

Travelling independently in China is not easy, but if you can get yourself to Labahe then I would have thought you'd have good chances of seeing them. We spent one morning going up the road by park bus and walking down, and from that admittedly single experience it seems that: They sleep in the trees, eventually the sun warms them up (this is in a valley and so it takes the sun a while to come up), and then they start moving. When they start moving they occasionally cross the road. We had four in a single morning there (one spotted while still sleeping and the others while we were walking down the road, in the hour or so after).

Andrea

 

[DMW]

Sandakphu on the Nepal / India border may be your best bet.

 

[T.O.]

Labahe in China seems to be a good place. Here is a report from someone who did it independent:

https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/chlidonias-goes-to-asia-part-3-2013-2014.328982/page-24

 

[Winterdune]

Thanks for the advice all.
Sean

 

[James Lowther]

Some info here

https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2866195&postcount=241

Cheers
James

 

[jurek]

Yes, you can although the easy site - Labahe in China - is apparently closed for redevelopment. There is every indication it will reopen in 1-2 years max and red pandas will still be easily to find.

There is a number of other sites in China and also Nepal, India etc, but they are not so reliable.

I suggest checking reports on mammalwatching.com.

 

[amears]

Have heard they are seen more often by ‘tourists’ than birders because the talking/chat disturbs them and makes them move...

 

[Britseye]

Sandakphu on the Nepal / India border may be your best bet.

Name didn't ring a bell at first, but now I think about it, it does. I was still shooting with a 500mm wildlife lens back when I did the trek in 1995, and when my friend picked this up in the tops of the trees at midday somewhere near Garibans, boy was I glad I was carrying that lens.

 

[DMW]

Name didn't ring a bell at first, but now I think about it, it does. I was still shooting with a 500mm wildlife lens back when I did the trek in 1995, and when my friend picked this up in the tops of the trees at midday somewhere near Garibans, boy was I glad I was carrying that lens.

Brilliant shot! Great pose and very atmospheric.

 

[b_reynolds_ak]

Name didn't ring a bell at first, but now I think about it, it does. I was still shooting with a 500mm wildlife lens back when I did the trek in 1995, and when my friend picked this up in the tops of the trees at midday somewhere near Garibans, boy was I glad I was carrying that lens.

What an incredible capture. Its hard sometimes to justify carrying big glass, but when an opportunity presents itself like that, you completely forget about the inconvenience.