Red panda

Ailurus fulgens

Red panda Bruce IMAGE: Amy Middleton 2023

Status

NE DD LC NT VU EN CR EW EX

For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org

There are three red pandas here at Edinburgh Zoo – Priya, Kevyn, and Bruce.

Bruce was born in 2015 and came to Edinburgh in 2016. He can be spotted in the enclosure near the main entrance. 

In 2022, we welcomed Kevyn from Highland Wildlife Park. Visitors can see him exploring his home behind Penguins Rock with Priya, our newest arrival who joined us in October 2024 from ZSL Whipsnade. Priya's arrival is extra special as her mum, Ruby, was born at Edinburgh Zoo in 2021 to parents Bruce and Ginger - making Priya their granddaughter!

Population

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Decreasing

Diet

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Herbivore

Habitat

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Forest

Fact file

  • Red pandas share similarities with both the bear and racoon family. Their classification has caused controversy since they were first described in 1825, but today they are placed in their own separate family

  • Like the giant panda, red pandas have a modified wrist bone that acts like a sixth digit or false thumb. This helps them grip branches and their favourite food, bamboo

  • The name 'panda' comes from the Nepalese word 'nigalya panya', which means 'bamboo eater'

  • They are excellent climbers thanks to their semi-retractable claws, and when not searching for food, they are usually found in the trees

Red panda Bruce IMAGE: Amy Middleton 2023

How we're helping

Like all the animals in our care, our red pandas are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.

Find out more about RZSS conservation