Lifesaver for red pandas: Kamala and Asa bring hope!

Lifesaver for red pandas: Kamala and Asa bring hope!

A new chapter for red pandas in Germany begins: At Leipzig Zoo, Kamala, the 13-month-old female red panda, has been joined by Asa, a male conspecific from a French zoo. The zoo director Prof. Jörg Junhold expressed optimism about the future interaction of the two animals within the framework of the European conservation breeding program. Asa is currently getting used to the back enclosure and will soon have the opportunity to get to know Kamala and the outside areas. The anticipation of a harmonious acquaintance and perhaps even offspring is great. Kamala came to Leipzig some time ago and has adapted well to her new home in the high mountain landscape of the Himalayas. She clearly feels at home in the immediate vicinity of the snow leopards and crested deer.

But the red panda community is not only growing in Leipzig. The 23rd red panda puppy was recently born in the Görlitz-Zgorzelec Nature Conservation Zoo. This zoo, which has been keeping red pandas since 1997 and has been breeding them regularly for 24 years, also takes part in the European Ex-situ Breeding Program (EEP). These efforts are crucial to the conservation of this critically endangered species. Tara, the zoo mascot, said: “We are very happy about the new addition!” Their offspring comes from the female panda Zayah, who came to Görlitz from the Netherlands in 2021 and is a single parent as her father Metok is not involved in raising them. A screen in the panda enclosure allows visitors to watch the as yet unnamed puppy grow up.

Challenges for the red panda species

But protecting red pandas is a serious challenge. The loss of their habitat, illegal hunting and animal trafficking, as well as distemper diseases spread by domestic dogs pose significant threats. This is why their use is of great importance not only within zoos, but also in the animals' habitats. Magdeburg Zoo, for example, is a partner of the Red Panda Network (RPN), a nature conservation organization that works to preserve wild red pandas and their habitat. A community-based conservation approach is pursued here, which involves the local population in nature conservation.

The programs initiated not only improve the living conditions of the local people, but also reduce the pressure on natural resources, which ultimately benefits the red pandas. Magdeburg Zoo supports the RPN project with 3,500 euros to promote the Forest Guardian program. This funds the monitoring of the panda habitat and educates communities about environmental protection. Locals play a crucial role in saving these fascinating animals and their habitat.

The initiatives in Leipzig, Görlitz and Magdeburg impressively show how important cohesion in the zoo animal world and nature conservation are. The red panda is not only a symbol of biodiversity, but also a call for responsible conservation of our nature.