Red panda cub arrives at Buffalo Zoo from South Carolina

The Himalayan arrived in the zoo’s red panda habitat in May from the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Special Survival Plan for Red Pandas, a program that ensures the genetic health of threatened and endangered species in zoos. throughout North America.

Described as having a “charming and playful spirit,” Himalaya will join the zoo’s male red panda, 3-year-old Mogwai, who arrived in Buffalo in 2023 from the Pueblo Zoo in Colorado.

“The Himalayan is settling in wonderfully. His keepers have worked very hard to make his transition as smooth as possible,” zoo spokesman Christian Dobosiewicz told the Buffalo News.

The zoo hopes the two will form a breeding pair. Although they have not yet met, the animal care team will facilitate introductions over the coming weeks.

“She (Himalayan) is a lovely ambassador for her endangered species,” said Lisa Smith, president and CEO of the zoo. “Himalaya will help us raise awareness about the vital importance of conservation and our role in saving wildlife.”

Native to the eastern Himalayas, red pandas are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to World Wildlife, there are fewer than 10,000 red pandas in the wild. Some of the factors that threaten their existence include loss of habitat for nesting trees and bamboo and poaching.

The Himalayas can be seen in the red panda habitat in the Vanishing Animals North section of the zoo.