Media release

27 March 2015

Wellington Zoo welcomes Khusi the Red Panda

Wellington Zoo welcomed an important new addition this week – a one-year-old female Red Panda named Khusi.

Khusi travelled to Wellington from Hamilton Zoo on Tuesday, arriving safely in the evening.

“Khusi is just beautiful and has a lovely nature – she’s very friendly and curious. She’s settling in really well, and is enjoying climbing trees and exploring her new surroundings,” said Paul Horton, Life Sciences Manager.

Visitors can now see Khusi in the Red Panda habitat, next door to five-year-old Manasa and 12-year old Ishah.

“Although we are always a little sad when one of our animals leaves us, we are very happy that Khusi has safely made the big move to Wellington Zoo and will continue to be part of the future conservation breeding program for Red Pandas. She has been a popular and well-loved member of the Hamilton Zoo family, and we know she will continue to delight visitors at her new home,” said Samantha Kudeweh, Hamilton Zoo Curator.

Khusi, whose name was inspired by the Hindi word for ‘happy’, came to Wellington Zoo to join the Close Encounters programme. Visitors will eventually have the opportunity to meet her up close, feed her some of her favourite treats, and learn about her important role as an ambassador for her species in the wild.

“Having Khusi, Ishah and Manasa here at Wellington Zoo is a wonderful opportunity to help visitors learn more about Red Pandas, which are endangered as a result of habit loss from deforestation,” said Paul.

“10% from every Red Panda Close Encounter goes directly to the Wellington Zoo Conservation Fund, which supports conservation programmes in the wild. Visitors can feel empowered that by experiencing a Close Encounter with these beautiful animals, they’re actually helping to protect their wild habitat.”

Wellington Zoo’s popular Red Panda Close Encounters run daily at 11am. Each Close Encounter lasts for 30 minutes and is $95 per person (includes Zoo entry). Book online at www.wellingtonzoo.com.

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