Male Red Panda from South Africa welcomed at Perth Zoo

June 22, 1997

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today welcomed Perth Zoo's latest arrival to the Nepalese Red Panda breeding program - Raja - a male from South Africa.

"Raja is a VIP - a very important Panda," Mrs Edwardes said.

"He is not only a mate for Rani Perth Zoo's female Red Panda, but also represents a new blood line for the Australasian breeding program."

The male Red Panda was born at Pretoria Zoo in South African on December 6, 1993. He is currently serving a 30-day quarantine period at the Perth Zoo's Animal Health Section.

Raja's prospective mate, Rani, was born at Adelaide Zoo, South Australia, on December 20, 1994. Red Pandas are sexually mature at 18-20 months and Rani is now considered in peak breeding condition.

The Nepalese Red Panda's conservation status is considered endangered and the major threat to its long-term survival is habitat destruction.

The word Panda is derived from Nepalese Nigalya ponya meaning 'Bamboo Eater'.

Red Pandas are known for their deep mahogany-coloured fur. Their native habitat is in the south-eastern Himalayan woodlands and southern Chinese province of Szechuan and they share parts of their range with their more well-known cousin, the Giant Panda.

"Although a Red Panda's main food in the wild is bamboo, in zoos they have a varied diet of fruit, vegetables and a small amount of meat," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Bamboo is still a major component of Rani's diet, but with the addition of Raja, Perth Zoo will need a lot more bamboo to feed both animals."

The zoo plans to plant additional bamboo, in particular the Red Panda's favoured species Pseudosasa Japonica and Phyllostachys aureosulcata, but for at least the next year they will have to find other sources.

"I appeal to anyone in the community with the appropriate bamboo species to help the new Red Panda Breeding Colony," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Not only will they be providing a valuable food source, but they will also be contributing to the long-term survival of the species."

A complete list of bamboo species favoured by the Nepalese Red Panda is available from Perth Zoo. The zoo will cut and collect appropriate fresh, pesticide and herbicide free bamboo.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 9421 7777