Red Pandas Rescue in Arunachal Pradesh
OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: A Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) rescued recently from a river in Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China, has been released back into its natural habitat by forest officials and administration on Saturday.
The rare species of the animal was rescued from downstream of Yargyap-Chu River in the Mechukha sub-division of the districts recently. Sources at the forest department informed that two persons – Tony Mosing and Takar Kotin Mosu of Mechukha town, spotted the exotic animal which was weak and clinging to a log in the river. The duo rescued the Red Panda and handed it over to Mechukha Range Forest Officer (RFO) Tanga Murtem, who decided to release and rehabilitate the animal in its natural habitat.
This is the first documented case of Red Panda spotted in Shi-Yomi district though claims of sighting of the animal have been made several times earlier.
A team including Mechuka Circle Officer (CO) Dr Honjon Perme, Murtem, Deputy RFO Marbom Sora along with Tony Mosing and Takar Kotin Mosu transported the Red Panda to 15 km from the last outpost and successfully released the animal in its natural habitat on Saturday morning, the sources said.
The Samaritans who rescued the animal were presented with cash awards as a token of appreciation by the forest department. Meanwhile, State Assembly Speaker Pasang D Sona, who represents the district, lauded the forest department and administration for the commendable job.
"I congratulate and commend young RFO and his team and CO Mechukha for their commendable initiative to release the endangered species back into its natural habitat," Sona stated. He also appreciated the rescuers' duo and exuded hope that their noble act would inspire others to do the same. Sona further appealed to the public not to kill wild animals and protect the ecosystem.