Photographing Red Pandas in the Wild

Photographing Red Pandas in the Wild – the Elusive Beauty of Wild Red Pandas

Photographing wild red pandas is a thrilling yet challenging endeavour. These enchanting creatures, native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, are known for their elusive nature and striking appearance. Here’s a guide to help you capture the best shots of these fascinating animals.

I have been photographing Red Pandas since 2016. At that time I was one of the first photographers outside of India and Nepal to photograph them in the wild. Photographing Red Pandas in the Wild has certainly become more accessible over the years and there are more and more companies offering dedicated trips to see Red Pandas. They do however remain one of the most elusive species and one of the more unusual species that feature on the bucket list of some photographers.

Photographing Red Pandas in the Wild on small group photography tours is not easy due to the remoteness of the destination, the elusive nature of the subject and the unpredictability of the environment. However it remains one of my favourite tours to run and it is one of the places that will always be very special to me and I still remember the moment that I saw my first Red Panda – it was incredible!!!

Understanding Red Pandas

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens), also called lesser panda, red bear-cat, and red cat-bear, is a mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs, and is slightly larger than a domestic cat. It is arboreal, feeds mainly on bamboo, but also eats eggs, birds, and insects. It is a solitary animal, mainly active from dusk to dawn, and is largely sedentary during the day.

The red panda has been classified as Endangered by the IUCN because its wild population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals and continues to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and inbreeding depression, although red pandas are protected by national laws in their range countries.

The red panda is the only living species of the genus Ailurus and the family Ailuridae. It has been previously placed in the raccoon and bear families, but the results of phylogenetic research provide strong support for its taxonomic classification in its own family Ailuridae, which along with the weasel, raccoon and skunk families is part of the superfamily Musteloidea. It is not closely related to the giant panda.

Size and Appearance

The head and body length of a red panda measures 50 to 64 cm (20 to 25 in), and its tail is 28 to 59 cm (11 to 23 in). Males weigh 3.7 to 6.2 kg (8.2 to 13.7 lb) and females 3 to 6.0 kg (6.6 to 13.2 lb). They have long, soft, reddish-brown fur on the upper parts, blackish fur on the lower parts, and a light face with tear markings and robust cranio dental features. The light face has white badges similar to those of a raccoon, but each individual can have distinctive markings. Their roundish heads have medium-sized upright ears, black noses, and very dark eyes – almost pitch black. Their long bushy tails with six alternating yellowish red transverse ochre rings provide balance and excellent camouflage against their habitat of moss- and lichen-covered trees. The legs are black and short with thick fur on the soles of the paws. This fur serves as thermal insulation on snow-covered or icy surfaces and conceals scent glands which are also present on the anus.

The red panda is territorial; it is solitary except during mating season. The species is generally quiet except for some twittering, tweeting, and whistling communication sounds. It has been reported to be both nocturnal and crepuscular, sleeping on tree branches or in tree hollows during the day and increasing its activity in the late afternoon and early evening hours. It sleeps stretched out on a branch with legs dangling when it is hot, and curled up with its tail over the face when it is cold. This panda is very heat sensitive, with an optimal “well-being” temperature between 17 and 25 °C (63 and 77 °F), and cannot tolerate temperatures over 25 °C (77 °F).

Best Locations for Photography

The Singalila National Park in India is one of the top destinations for photographing red pandas in the wild. This high-altitude park, located on the Singalila Ridge, offers a diverse ecosystem and is home to a significant population of red pandas. Other notable locations include the Tinchule forest in Nepal, and certain regions in Bhutan and southwestern China.

The Singalila National Park in Darjeeling, West Bengal is one of the handfuls of places where wild Red Pandas are still found in the world. With a temperate and subtropical habitat 7000 feet above the sea level, this park is a hotspot for Red Pandas to thrive. Singalila is one of the best places for the Exotic Red Panda, Apart from this other mammals found here are: Himalayan Black bear, Clouded Leopard, Black Panther, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Serow, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Martin, Wild Boar, Pangolin, Pika and many more.

Other Wildlife in Singalila

Singalila is also a Birding Paradise. More than 300 species of birds found here. It has a huge list of exotic birds: Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills, Rufous-vented Tit, and Old World babblers like the Fire-tailed Myzornis and the Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rosefinchs, bull finches, Wren Babblers, Laughing thrushes, Nuthatchs, Treecreepers, Yahunas, Minivets, Partriges and many more.

Situated amongst the mighty Himalayan range, Singalila National Park and its surrounding areas are a wonderland for both wildlife enthusiasts and trekkers. The terrain is tough and the weather can be unforgiving, but with our dedicated staff and guides, we have tailor made an itinerary which ensures that our guests have all the on field support to capture the wonders of this geography and return home with a great portfolio of one of the rarest species on the planet.

Trekking

Photographing Red Pandas in the wild promises to be an experience of a life time. You tend to be trekking as much as possible, which is the best way to enjoy and photograph the beauty of the place. You usually have porters to help you with your trekking and camera equipment. The trekking can be quite challenging, but since I have been photographing Red Pandas the infrastructure has improved and the sightings are more frequent and reliable. This is due to the tireless works of the communities that live in the area and work as naturalists, porters and guides. All of this has combined has made Red Pandas become easier to view and photograph, they are still tough, but they are not impossible. Not sure if you can trek long distances? Don’t worry; there are usually safari cars that you can hop on any time you want. The safari cars used here are Bolero and the only place in the country where they are operated as safari vehicles.

Equipment and Technique

Camera and Lenses: A DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera with a good zoom lens is essential. Lenses in the range of 100-400mm or 200-600mm are ideal as they allow you to capture close-up shots without disturbing the animals. In addition zoom lenses give you so much flexibility when capturing images of the Red Pandas in their beautiful environment, this is so much more difficult to do with a prime lens. A tripod or monopod can be useful for stability, especially in low light conditions. If you join an organised tour, there are usually porters that will help carry equipment, however Red Pandas can appear and disappear very quickly and the last thing that you want to be doing is changing cameras or lenses, in this situation – less is more. Keep it simple.
Settings: Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement of these agile creatures. An aperture of f/5.6 to f/8 will help keep the entire animal in focus while blurring the background. Adjust the ISO based on the lighting conditions; higher ISO settings may be necessary in the dense forest canopy. I would recommend shooting in manual with Auto ISO or Aperture Priority with Auto ISO (but set a minimum shutter speed for 1/1000s if there is enough light, if not 1/640s or 1/500s)
Lighting: Red pandas often move in and out of shadows, so be prepared to adjust your settings quickly. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best natural light for photography. Exposure compensation is a useful tool to use with Red Pandas as you will constantly find them going from areas of light and dark throughout the trees. You can read more about exposure compensation here.
Patience and Stealth: Red pandas are shy and can be difficult to spot. Move quietly and be patient. Observing their behaviour can provide clues to their movements and help you anticipate the best moments to capture. Going on an organised tour with experienced photographers and naturalists can be invaluable here.

Ethical Considerations

Respect the natural habitat of red pandas. Maintain a safe distance to avoid causing them stress or disrupting their natural behaviour. Avoid using flash photography as it can startle and harm the animals.
Conclusion. The people I work with in India and Nepal are heavily involved in Red Panda conservation and a percentage of all of my tours goes into Red Panda conservation and community initiatives.

Photographing wild red pandas requires preparation, patience, and respect for these beautiful creatures and their environment. With the right equipment and techniques, you can capture stunning images that showcase the unique charm of red pandas.

If you fancy photographing Red Pandas in the Wild yourself then why not join me on one of my yearly Red Panda Photo tours. Only 3-4 people per group. 100% success rate so far of seeing and photographing Red Pandas. A unique experience and one that will remain with you for a long time.

Check out my Red Panda Tour Wildlife Photography tour here

Location Tips – Red Pandas