How WWF is helping red pandas in Bhutan

Bhutan’s first nationwide red panda survey in 2023 revealed that at least 300 of the endangered mammals inhabit the country’s high-altitude forests, yet many live outside protected areas, where they face mounting threats like habitat degradation.

Using this data, WWF-Bhutan teamed up with local communities and forest agencies to find solutions. Red pandas rely on bamboo for food and shelter, and in 2024 the partners began to revitalize shrinking bamboo forests in Wangsingla, in Trashigang District in eastern Bhutan. The teams also constructed earthen dams nearby to stabilize soil and prevent flooding to protect the red panda’s habitat.

The people living in the nearby village of Bartsham also play a crucial role in red panda conservation. Through advocacy work with farmers, students, and monks, WWF is raising awareness about this endangered species. The goal is to promote coexistence now and well into the future.