Rostock (dpa/mv) – In the coming year, red pandas are to move into one of the outdoor enclosures in Rostock Zoo, possibly as a couple. This was announced by the zoo director, Antje Angeli, on Monday together with cooperation partner Ralf Zimlich from the WIRO housing association. According to the Rostock Zoo, there are only about 10,000 animals of this Asian species of red panda left in the wild. “The red pandas are one of the endangered species that are monitored by a European conservation breeding program. Breeding is very important to conserve the species,” said the zoo director.
The loners are at home in the Himalaya mountains. Due to illegal hunting and agriculture, the population there has declined enormously. It is initially unclear which animals will be put into the 860 square meter enclosure. The European Conservation Breeding Program will decide this. By the beginning of 2023, the enclosure for the good climbers will be converted.