saptari – The wildfire that broke out near Pathibhara Temple in Taplejung district has taken a heavy toll on the habitat of red pandas.

Even though there is a possibility that red pandas may have died, the concerned authority has not been able to reach the incident site, said Ramesh Rai, the coordinator of Himali Samrakshan Manch.

In the Pathibhara forest, the habitat of endangered red pandas lies in the area of around 80 hectors.

“The wildfire has totally destroyed the habitat,” said Rai, adding, “It is early to say how many red pandas were able to move to the other safe area and how of them died in the fire.”

The wildfire that broke out a week ago from Pathivara Simbu community forest of Phungling Municipality-12 has spread to almost 90 hectors of Pathibhara forest, according to forester of Division Forest Office, Phupugyabu Sherpa.

Even though a helicopter was used to spray water to douse the fire, it has still been continuing. The team of Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and locals failed to extinguish the wild fire which reached near the temple premises.

It is not certain how the fire broke out.