Area of zoo
Base Camp
Enclosure status
Open
IUCN status
Endangered
Scientific name
Ailurus fulgens
Order
Carnivora
Type
Mammals
Family
Ailuridae
Region
Himalayan Mountains of Nepal, Myanmar, India and Bhutan and forests in western China
Habitat
Mountain forest and dense bamboo-thickets

Red panda facts

Ruby the red panda with her tongue out at Whipsnade Zoo

What do red pandas look like?

Red pandas have long, thick fur to protect them from their rainy, mountainous habitat in the Himalayas and the reddish brown colour helps them blend in with the trees they inhabit. 

These furry creatures have distinctive white markings on their faces, as well as pointed white ears and a fluffy striped tail, which they use as a blanket.

Red pandas have small eyes in comparison to the rest of their face and long white whiskers. Their underside is much darker than the rest of their body, almost black in colour. 

What do red pandas eat?

A red panda's diet mainly consists of bamboo, but they do also eat shoots, leaves and fruit.

What threats do red pandas face in the wild?

Red pandas are Endangered in the wild, under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation, habitat degradation and physical threats. As more of the human population moves to mountain regions in India, forests make way to farming land; fragmenting the species and removing its dietary staple, Himalayan bamboo.

Increased poaching also poses a great threat to red pandas as demand continues to rise for their meat and fur. Demand is also thought be on the increase to keep red pandas as pets.​​

Nilo the red panda at Whipsnade Zoo

Are red pandas related to giant pandas? 

No, red pandas and giant pandas aren't related. Red pandas are in their own unique family called the ailuridae, whereas giant pandas are part of the bear family called ursidae. 

Are there red pandas at Whipsnade Zoo?

Whipsnade Zoo is home to four red pandas, Nilo, Ruby,  twin cubs and twin cuba Alex and Priya. Nilo, which means Blue in Nepalese, was named after his father and was born at Whipsnade Zoo in June 2020. He was joined by Ruby (who was born in July 2021) from Edinburgh Zoo in March 2022. Alex and Priya were born in 2023, it's extremely rare for twin brother and sister red panda cubs to be born, which makes them extra special. 

You'll find the red panda pair in the Base Camp area of the Zoo, close to our otters.

As red pandas are crepuscular - meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk - you'll often stand the best chance of seeing Nilo and Ruby either in the morning when you first arrive at the Zoo, or just before you leave at the end of the day. 

Visit our red pandas at Whipsnade ZOo

Visit our red pandas at Whipsnade Zoo

Red panda Nilo in a tree at Whipsnade Zoo

Tickets

Book your tickets today to Whipsnade Zoo

Panda gifts

Find the perfect present in our online shop with our panda gifts! Every purchase supports ZSL's vital science and conservation work. 

  • Sleepy Ruby the red panda at Whipsnade Zoo

    Whipsnade Zoo Map

    Visit our red pandas in the Base Camp area of the Zoo

  • Two scimitar-horned oryx at Whipsnade Zoo

    Conservation

    Discover more about Whipsnade Zoo's vital conservation work

  • Carol and Ernie the otters at Whipsnade Zoo

    Asian short-clawed otter

    Look out for our Asian short-clawed otters at Whipsnade Zoo

  • Book now to visit our animals at Whipsnade Zoo
Whipsnade Zoo newsletter
Get the latest updates about exciting animal news from the Zoos, upcoming events, experiences, offers