Longleat Safari Park is gearing up to celebrate International Red Panda Day this Saturday (21 September) with a host of special activities aimed at raising awareness and funds for the endangered species. As part of the lead-up to the event, keeper Samantha Peeke captured a rare shot of Emma, one of Longleat’s resident red pandas, enjoying her bamboo breakfast, seemingly unfazed by the colourful balloons filling the sky during the park’s Icons of the Sky event.
“I’ve waited seven years to get this picture,” Samantha revealed. “Emma lives close to Half Mile Pond, which is right by the House, so I knew it was possible to get a photo of her with the balloons in the background. But this was the first time she was active during a launch. She didn’t seem too impressed by the balloons though, as her breakfast was far more interesting!”
Longleat is home to two pairs of red pandas, Emma and Lionel, and Koda and Maya, all part of a vital endangered species breeding programme. The park is dedicated to conserving the species and ensuring a healthy population for future generations. Last year, Emma and Lionel celebrated the birth of two cubs, Forest and Everest. The cubs have since joined the breeding programme, with Forest remaining in the UK and Everest moving to a zoo in Sweden.
International Red Panda Day will feature a range of activities at Longleat, including opportunities to learn more about the species and take part in fundraising efforts for the Red Panda Network. The Network works closely with local communities in Nepal to protect the species and its dwindling habitat.
Speaking about the challenges faced by red pandas, Samantha said: “This species is endangered for many reasons, but habitat loss is a major factor. The forests in Nepal, China, and India are disappearing at an alarming rate. Additionally, the illegal fur and pet trade continue to threaten their survival.”
Guests visiting Longleat on Saturday will have the chance to win prizes and take part in activities in support of the Red Panda Network, while learning more about these fascinating animals. Longleat’s red pandas can be found in two areas of the park – near the Monkey Temple in Animal Adventure and by Jungle Cruise – where keepers will be on hand to share more about the conservation efforts in place.
Factfile:
- Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
- Conservation Status: Endangered and decreasing
- Diet: Primarily bamboo, but they also eat fruits and vegetables
- Native Range: Nepal, India, and Central China
- Despite being part of the Carnivora order, red pandas rarely eat meat and live primarily on a plant-based diet.
