However, a healthy viable population of wildlife is dependent on a mosaic of heterogeneous habitat across the landscape (Grebner et al., 2013) with good connectivity (Fahrig & Merriam, 1994). It fulfills the fundamental needs of an individual or the population to reproduce, occupy, protect, interact, and survive by providing food, shelter, water, and climatic or environmental conditions in favor of the species (Morrison et al., 2012). Habitat is an area in the landscape that can support a viable population of the species. The dynamics of habitat, connectivity, and their influence on survival of the species is an inevitable component of wildlife ecology (Morrison et al., 2012). It will also help to evaluate the functionality of the predicted habitats, linkages, and feasibility of transboundary conservation initiatives. Based on our findings, we recommend initiating GPS/satellite telemetry of the species to enable SWS to understand the precise interaction of Himalayan red panda to widespread herder communities, livestock, and free-roaming dogs dwelling in the same landscape. Overall, SWS can play a critical role as a connecting link between the larger landscape of Bhutan and the adjacent Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the conservation of Himalayan red panda that exhibits narrow dispersal with special habitat needs. However, CH located in the peripheries could be equally important in facilitating the transboundary movement of the species.

Centrally located CH5 and CH11 are identified as the most important habitat in maintaining overall connectivity within SWS. In SWS, 15 core habitats (CH) are predicted which are connected by a least-cost corridor (length µ = 2.91 km) with several pinch points in it. More than 75% of the predicted habitats fall outside the existing core zones where anthropogenic disturbance is relatively high, indicating the need to reassess existing management options. The model predicted 27.7% of the SWS as a potential habitat (fundamental niche). Precipitation-related predictor variables exhibited a significant influence on the prediction of habitat distribution. Therefore, this study identifies the distribution of potential habitats and their connectivity using maxent and linkage mapper, respectively. Lack of such information remains a challenge while implementing effective and holistic conservation initiatives. However, limited studies have been conducted in the context of the spatial distribution of habitats and habitat connectivity for the species in the landscape of Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS). Survival of endangered Himalayan red panda is threatened by ever-growing anthropogenic activities leading to an unprecedented rate of habitat degradation and loss.

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