Wellington Zoo red pandas head off on OE

Media release 13 July 2007

Wellington Zoo red pandas head off on OE

Three of Wellington Zoo's most popular inhabitants leave the Zoo on Monday 16 July for Knoxville Zoo in Tennesse, announced Curator Suzette Nicholson today.

"Kitar, Kumari and Akkali, three of our red panda girls are leaving the Zoo for the United States where they will participate in the red panda international breeding programme," said Suzette.

"These red pandas were born at the Zoo to parents Jay and Reka, who will remain at the Zoo along with recent arrivals, Amy and Isha."

"We hope that our new pandas, Amy and Isha, will become a breeding pair here at Wellington Zoo. It can be difficult to breed red pandas, as the females are only in season for one day a year. We do have our fingers crossed for red panda cubs in the future."

"Little is known about red pandas as their natural habitat is in remote, mountainous parts of Asia. Red pandas are endangered and it is believed that only 2,500 remain in the wild. Sending the girls to America helps to ensure genetic diversity in the worldwide captive population of red pandas, and enables Zoos worldwide to learn more about this reclusive species, in order to help conserve them in their natural habitat."

"Kitar, Kumari and Akkali have made a big impact on Zoo visitors, especially the hundreds of Wellingtonians who have got up close to them through the Zoo's encounter programme; they are also favourites of Zoo staff and we will be sad to see them go."

Ends

Please note: The red pandas last day in their enclosure will be Sunday 15 July, they will be caught up on Sunday afternoon to be transferred to the Zoo hospital in readiness for their flight on Monday.

ENDS

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