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Hertfordshire Zoo Welcomes Rare Red Panda to Boost Conservation Efforts
12 Nov
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
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.
The zoo is pairing Nila with its resident male red panda, Ash, in the hopes of creating a successful breeding pair. This comes after the zoo's previous breeding efforts in 2022, which resulted in the birth of a red panda cub. Nila's arrival is a testament to the zoo's commitment to conservation and its role in safeguarding the future of this unique species.
"Nila has settled in very well, already exploring her new enclosure with confidence and showing great curiosity toward her keepers," said James Cork, head keeper at Hertfordshire Zoo. The zoo is excited to watch as Nila and Ash bond over the coming weeks, as their success will be a direct win for global conservation efforts.
