For the preservation of Red Panda, an endangered animal enlisted by the IUCN, the dogs and cats are sterilized and vaccinated against rabies in Taplejung district.
The campaign is carried out every year by Mountain Conservation Forum, Taplejung, citing that the Red Panda have remained insecure from the dog bites.
The dogs from the community often attack Red Panda in the nearby forest, making the endangered species further vulnerable. Forum's Scretary Bibash Kedem said that the campaign is being implemented with support from Red Panda Network.
Program Coordinator of the Forum, Ramesh Rai, said the programme is being implemented for the past six years in coordination with the local level since control of the stray dogs was needed to conserve the number of Red Panda. Rai shared that 85 dogs have been sterilized so far. Besides sterilization, the dogs are given anti-rabies vaccine and vitamins since vaccines and vitamins given to the dogs also help conserve the Red Panda.
According to Rai, 20 dogs at Thechambu and 68 in Tiringe of Yangbarak Rural Municipality and 111 in Sikaichagaun of Sirijanga Rural Municipality-3 were given anti-rabies vaccines last week alone.
The Forum said that 51 dogs in Bungkulungaun, 113 in Phurumbo area and 71 dogs in Phawakhola area of Phungling Municipality were given vitamin and vaccines against the rabies.
The Forum has estimated the total number of 134 Red Panda in Taplejung district.
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