ANNOUNCEMENTS
This study on determining the food habit of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) in Sikkim, Eastern Himalayas was carried out due to data deficiency with respect to the preferred food by the species across the landscape. The collection of scat samples was done between December 2016 – April 2019 and the laboratory experiment for the scat sample analysis was carried out during the months of February- April 2019. Three sites were chosen for this study, which were, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary in South Sikkim, Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary in West Sikkim and Yalli Reserve Forest in East Sikkim. These three study sites were then categorised as protected and non-protected area. The scat sample analysis was done using Micro-histological technique which was introduced by Baumgartner and Martin in the year 1939. A total of 40 samples were analysed from East, West and South districts of Sikkim subsequent to which, the Relative frequency (Rf), Relative Importance Value (RIV) and the niche breadth was calculated for samples from each district.
Keywords: Red Panda, Wildlife conservation, Scat analysis, Micro-histological technique, Eastern Himalaya
