A pair of red pandas from Chengdu have arrived in Macau and are currently undergoing a 30-day quarantine in Seac Pai Van Park, a statement from the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) said on Wednesday.
The statement did not say exactly when the red pandas arrived, only saying that they had arrived safely and were healthy.
According to the statement, the government will announce in due course when the pair will be able to meet the public.
The statement pointed out that the pair are a gift from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, in conjunction with the State Forestry Administration, with the aim of improving science education and highlighting the “risk of conservation”.
Both the male and female are three years old, the statement said, according to which they have already familiarised themselves with their enclosure, which is under round-the-clock surveillance by IACM animal care staff who are familiarising themselves with the pair’s feeding and other needs, apart from helping the red pandas to quickly adapt to the local weather.
Red pandas are classified as “endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and are listed as Class II protected species in the mainland.
According to the statement, like giant pandas, bamboo is the main source of food for red pandas and their “false thumb”, the sixth digit, gives them the flexibility to climb trees. It also said that because the “tiny and cute” animal has red fur with ring patterns on their tails, they are also called “fire fox”.
The statement pointed out that although the red pandas are yet to meet the public, people could still go to the park to see giant pandas “Hoi Hoi” and “Sam Sam” as they will be playing in the outdoor enclosure to feel the autumn air.
The statement did not mention whether the pair of red pandas have names.
(Macau News / The Macau Post Daily)
