Discover 5 Amazing United States Zoos With Red Pandas

Red pandas are small mammals (barely bigger than a house cat) with bear-like appearances. Their fur is thick and reddish-brown. They have distinctive white markings on either side of their faces, above their small, circular eyes, and on their cheeks. They call trees home, and their acrobatic abilities help them move with ease. Their tails are long and bushy, and they serve more than one purpose. When the weather gets cold, they use their tails for warmth, and they also use them to keep balance. These animals are primarily herbivores and are native to the forests of China, Nepal, and India. Red pandas are an endangered species, so conservation is critical for these mostly solitary, nocturnal, chattering creatures. Read on to discover five amazing zoos in the United States where you can meet red pandas!

1. Zoo Knoxville

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee

Zoo Knoxville is known as the “Red Panda Capital of the World.” At Knoxville, they didn’t just take this title. They earned it, with more than 110 red panda births happening right on their premises. In the Zoo, there is a fun and inviting atmosphere. However, that doesn’t take away from their serious commitment to conservation. Knowing wild populations become endangered, they keep steadfast in creating a genetically diverse population. So, along with red pandas, visitors to Zoo Knoxville may also take in the splendor of a variety of other animals, including Malayan tigers, African elephants, North American black bears, red wolves, and southern white rhinos.

2. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

The Cincinnati Zoo‘s mission is to conserve nature, serve the community, and relay knowledge to empower those seeking to learn more. The Zoo features a gorgeous botanical garden and a wide array of wildlife. Red pandas are one such species that gets to dwell in trees and jump with ease, clearing distances of up to five feet. Their hairy feet keep them from slipping as they enjoy their habitat in the zoo. The Cincinnati Zoo supports the Red Panda Network (RPN) in its efforts to educate the community to protect the species and the bamboo forests they inhabit. In addition to red pandas, visitors can also see and learn more about plains zebras, ring-tailed lemurs, snow leopards, lesser kudus, and kangaroos, to name a few.

3. Woodland Park Zoo

Location: Seattle, Washington

At Woodland Park Zoo, the objective is to give wildlife a chance to survive and to bring the concept of conservation to the forefront of visitors’ minds. They know that when you get a chance to experience the intricate expressions of nature, you’re instinctively inspired to join the efforts to protect what exists in the natural world. They don’t mince words when they express their vision and keep their focus on the fact that, as human beings, we need nature. We have inherited a responsibility to care for it. This responsibility requires action. There is a temperate forest exhibit at this zoo where along with red pandas, visitors can see Chilean flamingos, partula snails, kunekune pigs, white-naped cranes, maned wolves, red-crowned cranes, and hornbills.

4. Red River Zoo

Location: Fargo, North Dakota

Red River Zoo is a conservation leader looking to serve as the bridge that connects their communities with nature. Here, they offer a “red panda encounter” interactive experience that allows small groups to meet their zookeepers and learn more about the daily lives of the red pandas that call this environment home. Visitors can go off-exhibit to see where the red pandas live and get up close and personal, even feeding them special treats like bamboo and grapes. Along with red pandas, visitors may also encounter Bactrian camels, Sichuan takins, grey wolves, and Pallas cats.

5. Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Location: Washington, DC

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is also a conservation biology institute aiming to unite humankind to create a thriving natural world where wildlife flourishes. They engage in global efforts to ensure the survival and continuation of different species. They also focus on learning more about our ecosystems. Future conservationists flock to the institute to learn from some of the best. What’s unique about this zoo is that there is never a charge to access the 163-acre park. Here, more than 2,100 animals enjoy the space, greeting almost two million visitors every year. To see the red pandas, head over to the Asian Trail at the park. This is where two red pandas live, both female. Their names are Asa and Chris Anne. Asa has only ever lived at the park since she was born there in 2014. She’s the bigger of the two females. Chris Anne is notably smaller than Asa and has distinctive pale orange facial markings along with blonde fur on her tail and her hips.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Abeselom Zerit/Shutterstock.com