Sundar the Red Panda meets his mate at Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo is delighted to welcome Sundar, a one-year-old male Red Panda, who has travelled to the capital from Auckland Zoo to join the international conservation breeding programme for the endangered species.

Sundar the Red Panda is exploring his new habitat at Wellington Zoo. Photo: Wellington Zoo

“We’re thrilled to have Sundar here at Wellington Zoo as a mate for Khusi, our young female,” said Paul Horton, Wellington Zoo Life Sciences Manager.

“He’s a confident young Panda with a very laidback nature. He’s settling in really well, and having a great time exploring his surroundings and getting to know his new housemate.”

Sundar and Khusi have been slowly introduced to each other over the last week. Visitors can now see them outside together in the Red Panda habitat, next door to males Ishah and Manasa.

Red Pandas are primarily solitary animals who form pairs during breeding season. This is short-lived – females are only in season for one day a year, making cubs rare and precious.
“The conservation risk for Red Pandas has recently been upgraded by the IUCN from vulnerable to endangered – in recognition of their dwindling numbers in the wild,” said Paul. “Good zoos around the world work together for the conservation of endangered species like Red Pandas through global and regional conservation breeding programmes. Conservation breeding programmes help to maintain healthy populations, build knowledge of good animal husbandry, and provide care and support for wild conservation projects.”

“We have high hopes that Sundar and Khusi will continue to get on well. Our current main focus is making sure they’re comfortable in their new habitat, and if all goes well we’ll look at pairing them up for the 2017 breeding season.”

Visitors can meet Sundar and the Zoo’s other Red Pandas in a Close Encounter, and learn more about how they can help Red Pandas in the wild. 10% from every Red Panda Close Encounter goes directly to the Wellington Zoo Conservation Fund, helping to save animals in the wild.

About Red Pandas

Red Pandas make their homes in the mountains of Nepal, northern Myanmar (Burma) and central China.

The deforestation of these habitats is the biggest threat to their survival, and they are classified as endangered by the IUCN.

People can help protect their native habitats by purchasing sustainable timber and paper products marked with the FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) logo.

About Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo is New Zealand's first Zoo, established in 1906, and is Wellington’s oldest conservation organisation. Home to over 500 native and exotic animals, Wellington Zoo became a charitable trust in 2003.

Wellington Zoo became the world’s first carboNZero certified zoo in May 2013.

Wellington Zoo is an accredited member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

ENDS

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