Red panda spotted for first time in Jumla

A red panda was found in Jumla for the first time last week, District Forest Office has said.

The endangered mammal had till date been found only in the eastern part of the country in areas such as Taplejung, Lantang National Park, and neighbouring areas of Assam, Sikkim and Bhutan, Radio Nepal reported.

Chandanath locals spotted the animal and reported the sighting it to the District Forest Office. The animal has been safely kept at the office, officer Bharat Bahadur Budthapa told the state-owned radio. The animal will soon be released into the wild, said Budthapa.

The animal had been selected as the official mascot for the 5th National Games. Nepalnews.com