A Red Panda Has Moved to Santa Barbara

By the Santa Barbara Zoo

What’s cute, red, and loves to eat bamboo? The Santa Barbara Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of a red panda! The male red panda came to Santa Barbara from Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School in New York and is currently living behind the scenes (not visible to the public) in a spacious habitat while his new permanent home is being renovated. An official announcement will be made later this year to formally introduce the public to the newest addition to the Zoo family.

Red pandas are endangered due to habitat loss, with only 10,000 left in the wild. Red pandas are found in various regions of China, Nepal, and northern Burma and are known for their reddish-brown fur, bushy tails, and cute, bear-like faces. Despite their name and appearance, red pandas are not closely related to giant pandas; they are actually more closely related to raccoons.

The name panda is believed to come from the Nepali word “ponya,” meaning “bamboo eater,” and in fact, red pandas were classified and named before giant pandas. More information on the red panda will be provided later this year. The community is encouraged to visit the Zoo’s website sbzoo.org as well as their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter).

About the Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. for members and 9:30 a.m. for general admission until 5 p.m.; general admission is $25 for adults, $15 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Parking is $11. The Santa Barbara Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA zoos are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great visitor experience, and a better future for all living things. With more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and is the public’s link to helping animals in their native habitats. Visit www.sbzoo.org.