Animals Red pandas escape from zoo enclosure in Gossau SG
Two red pandas have escaped from their enclosure at Walter Zoo in Gossau SG. Snow had broken the branches of trees and bushes, allowing the two animals to climb over the fence.
08.01.2025, 14:23
SDA
They are alive and well. An examination of the twin sisters, born in 2021, revealed that they "suffered no injuries as a result of their adventure", said Fabienne Grawehr, spokeswoman for Walter Zoo.
After initial excitement and a major search operation, the two runaways were found in the vicinity of the zoo.
The two animals are red pandas (Ailuridae), which are smaller than the better-known black and white pandas. Their fur is reminiscent of foxes in color. They can weigh up to six kilograms. The species is found in the Himalayan region and mountains further east and is considered critically endangered.
A panda ventured into the forest
The empty enclosure in Gossau was discovered on January 3. One of the two female pandas was spotted nearby in a tree, but the other had ventured further. A search party discovered her in a forest, caught her with a net and brought her back to the zoo in a carrier box.
Something like this should not happen again. "When the next heavy snowfall is forecast, the bushes and shrubs will first be cleared of snow before the two animals are let into the outdoor enclosure," said Grawehr. Walter Zoo is home to around 900 animals of around 100 species.
