New animal addition at the Schönbrunn Zoo: A female Red Panda has moved into the zoo as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. The nine-month-old animal comes from the Parco Faunistico La Torbiera in Italy, as the zoo announced on Thursday. "The female Red Panda made a relaxed impression from the start. After its arrival, it quickly settled in and soon began eating bamboo," said Zoo Director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck.

According to Hering-Hagenbeck, living together since March with the male already residing there seems harmonious. "We now hope, of course, that the two will provide offspring in the future," said the zoo director. Those who want to observe the new animal addition will often have to look up high: Similar to its male counterpart, the female particularly enjoys staying in the trees. There, the two Red Pandas regularly climb and rest, the zoo reported.

"Excellent Climbers"

"Red Pandas are excellent climbers. Their sharp claws and hairy soles give the animals a secure grip, while the bushy tail helps them maintain balance," said Hering-Hagenbeck.

The animals otherwise inhabit mountain and bamboo forests in the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. There, temperatures can be icy. The Red Pandas are well adapted to cool weather with their thick fur. Therefore, the current changeable spring weather in Vienna does not bother them.

"The male and female are easy to distinguish; the female has a noticeably lighter facial marking. Unfortunately, Red Pandas are considered highly endangered. Particularly deforestation and poaching are responsible for the decline of this species," said Rupert Kainradl, the responsible curator at the zoo.

Own Family

Despite the name similarity, Red Pandas are not closely related to Giant Pandas. The animals form their own family: the Ailuridae. Red Pandas are more closely related to raccoons or coatis, which in turn belong to the family of small bears.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article .