Police has arrested four suspected smugglers from Kapan, a village in the district of Kathmandu for illegal possession of nine Red Panda hides.

According to the newspaper My Republica the smugglers wanted to sell them for 550.000 Rupees (aprox. 5.100 USD/4.500 EUR).

Further legal action will be taken by the District Forests Office.

Saddened by the NEWS of 9 pandas skin seizure in Kathmandu.It’s devastating.Did we fail on educating people to Kill the animals inside them?

— Sonam Tashi Lama (@SonamTaC) 12. August 2016

70 Red Panda hides seized

Red Pandas are protected under Nepalese law. The District Forests Office in Kathmandu says that during the past four years police had recovered 70 Red Panda hides and 180 people are under investigation.