What is the Hertfordshire Zoo doing to help conserve red pandas?

The Hertfordshire Zoo has welcomed a young female red panda, Nila, as part of a breeding program to try to boost numbers of the endangered species.

How many red pandas are left in the wild?

There are fewer than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild as they are threatened with rapid habitat loss from deforestation in the eastern Himalayas, and the poaching trade.

Who is Nila, the new red panda at Hertfordshire Zoo?

Nila is a 17-month-old female red panda that was born in Slovakia and has been brought to the UK to be paired with the zoo's resident male, Ash, as part of the breeding program.

Home / Environment / Hertfordshire Zoo Welcomes Rare Red Panda to Boost Conservation Efforts

Hertfordshire Zoo Welcomes Rare Red Panda to Boost Conservation Efforts

12 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Hertfordshire Zoo receives 17-month-old female red panda from Slovakia
Red pandas face rapid habitat loss and poaching threats in the wild
Zoo successfully bred a red panda cub in 2022 with a different pair

Hertfordshire Zoo Welcomes Rare Red Panda to Boost Conservation Efforts

In a significant conservation effort, Hertfordshire Zoo has welcomed a young female red panda to its facility. The 17-month-old red panda, named Nila, was born in Slovakia and has been brought to the UK as part of a breeding program to help secure a sustainable future for the endangered species.

Red pandas are facing a dire situation in the wild, with fewer than 10,000 individuals remaining due to rapid habitat loss from deforestation and the ongoing threat of poaching. Hertfordshire Zoo's decision to participate in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ex-situ program is a direct response to this crisis.