AFTER a massive worldwide search for a red male panda to continue breeding the endangered species at the Bester Birds and Animal Zoo in Pretoria, success has come in the form of Pierre, a six-year-old male from the Sydney Zoo in Australia.
He came out of his month-long quarantine at Bester late last week to meet his new mate, Furball, who was given to Bester by the Johannesburg Zoo in January this year - along with two other females - to form part of the breeding programme.
According to a spokesperson from Bester, Furball was chosen for her strong genetic lines which will enhance breeding.
These gentle pandas originate from the Himalayas and deliver between one to four young.
The Johannesburg Zoo still supplies the bamboo, which is the panda's primary source of food, but Bester has built a brand new enclosure.
The public can view Pierre and his mate at the new enclosure.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
