23 Sep Roll out the Red Carpet: Honoring International Red Panda Day
We are celebrating our Red Pandas!
This past Saturday (9/21) was international Red Panda Day and we find it imperative to highlight a special animal that is one of the forefront species of the Ross Park Zoo. So without further ado, meet our three Red Pandas that call Ross Park Zoo home.
Mei-Li is our longest Red Panda resident here at the Ross Park Zoo. She is a keeper and visitor favorite as her calm demeanor steals the hearts of many! In her time at Ross Park Zoo, she has had 3 cubs, one which has gone on to produce cubs on his own which means she is a grandmother! Mei-Li can often be seen taking a nap during the day and munching on bamboo!
Ferguson is the only male Red Panda at the Ross Park Zoo! He is paired with Shenmi, our youngest Red Panda. You can tell the two apart as Ferguson is much larger and brighter in fur color when compared to Shenmi. Ferguson is considered a large male in the Red Panda world, weighing in at a healthy 20 lbs! We regularly monitor weight for our Red Pandas and he is the appropriate weight for his size. Though he is a bit older than Shenmi, he still joins in on her antics of running around and playing.
Shenmi is our youngest Red Panda here at the Ross Park Zoo! She is very energetic and eager to take part in her training sessions, especially when it comes to eating her favorite food, apples! When you visit Ross Park Zoo and see two Red Pandas together, that is Shenmi and Ferguson who are a breeding pair! To tell the two apart Shenmi is smaller, darker in color, and is missing some fur at the base of her tail. This is from her mother over-grooming her but it does not inhibit her in any way! She is still a very happy, healthy, and energetic Red Panda!
Red Pandas need our help as there are estimated to be as few as 2,500 individuals in the wild. Researchers estimate between 40-50% of the global population has declined in just the past 20 years, and continues on a downward trend. Habitat loss is the number one threat to Red Pandas. Poaching is on the rise and a huge threat to already vulnerable populations. Red Pandas are now among the top five mammals illegally poached and traded in Nepal. Together we can help protect this species! Want to learn more and have an up close experience with our Red Pandas? Book a Wild Encounter today!
Mark your calendars as our Eco-Trip to Nepal in partnership with the Red Panda Network takes place in November. Be sure to tune in, you won’t want to miss it!
Have a topic of interest? Let us know in the comment section below!
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