The exact reasons for the red panda's historic population decline are not well known, mainly due to a lack of comprehensive data and research on their population over time. Here are some possible factors that may have contributed to their population decline:
Hunting and poaching: Red pandas have been hunted for their fur, meat, and other body parts, which were used for various purposes, including clothing and traditional medicine.
Habitat loss and fragmentation: Red pandas rely on temperate forests for survival. Deforestation, land conversion, and fragmentation of their forest habitats have significantly reduced their natural range and availability of resources.
Climate change: The red panda's habitat is highly sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation. Climate change-related shifts in these climatic conditions could impact their survival and reproductive success.
Food shortages: Red pandas primarily feed on bamboo, which is their main source of nutrition. Changes in bamboo flowering and fruiting cycles, as well as competition with other animals, can lead to food shortages and affect the red panda's survival and reproduction.
Diseases: Outbreaks of diseases and epidemics can spread quickly among red panda populations, leading to high mortality rates and population decline.
Due to these various factors, the red panda's historic population numbers have likely fluctuated over time, making it challenging to determine their precise population size in the past. However, conservation efforts and increased research on the species have helped improve their conservation status, and their populations are currently being managed and monitored to prevent further decline.