Our ticketing site will be undergoing system maintenance on 25 Nov from 12.00am to 6.00am and 27 Nov from 6.00am to 7.00am, and online ticketing services will be unavailable.
Announcement 2 of 4:
Night Safari is open every day from 19 Nov 2020 to 3 Jan 2021, as well as eve of and on public holidays.
Announcement 3 of 4:
The following Park Experiences are temporarily suspended due to safe distancing measures:
Keeper's Chit Chat
Manatee Mania Wildlife Tour
Reservoir Cruise
Announcement 4 of 4:
Our shows are operating at limited capacity as part of the necessary Safe Management Measures. We seek your understanding that once full, we will be unable to accept more guests.
Like the giant panda, the red panda has an extra digit on each paw that works as a ‘thumb’ to help grasp bamboo. This ‘thumb’ is actually a modified wrist bone covered by a fleshy pad.
Red pandas are solitary, just like giant pandas. Similarly, females are only fertile for a couple of days a year and males seek them out only around this time. Despite the difference in size in the adults, newborn red pandas weigh 100g, as heavy as panda cubs at birth.
The raccoon connection
Despite similarities with the giant pandas, the red panda is more closely related to the raccoons. Like members of the raccoon family, the red panda scent-marks its territory with urine and anal gland secretions. It even has scent glands between its footpads, which exude a colourless liquid. The red panda has a unique cone-like structure at the bottom of its tongue. This is used to bring liquids found on scent trails to a gland inside its mouth to ‘test’ them.
Fire foxes under fire
Where they overlap in range with the high-profile giant pandas, the red pandas are benefitting from conservation efforts like panda reserves and green corridors. Poaching, logging and other human activities are also regulated. However, populations in locations outside of China are experiencing increased hunting pressure due to high demand for their skins and meat in China. Live animals are also being smuggled due to the red panda’s rising popularity as an exotic pet.
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