This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Necessary'. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Functional'. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category 'Analytics'. Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the 'Advertisement' category. This cookie is set by the Google recaptcha service to identify bots to protect the website against malicious spam attacks. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Rowan and Seren can be found in the red panda enclosure in the centre of the zoo. Breeding rare animals like red pandas not only helps to increase the ex-situ population, but allows scientists to observe the behaviours of this shy and elusive species. Newquay Zoo is part of Wild Planet Trust, a registered charity dedicated to helping halt species decline through science, education and conservation. Two red pandas have been born here previously, including Seren’s daughter Emma, who recently moved to Longleat to start a family of her own.” They are amazing climbers, and can often be found scaling the tops of the trees in their enclosure.”ĭave Rich, Keeper Team Leader, said: “We are excited about the prospect of having another red panda cub at Newquay. Steve Nash, Head of Campaigns and Programmes, said: “We can’t wait for people to visit Newquay Zoo and discover what a real red panda is like. And while Newquay’s red pandas aren’t quite as big as those in the film, the zoo hopes that it will inspire children to find out more about this beautiful creature. Rowan’s arrival coincides with the release of the new Disney Pixar film Turning Red, which features a 13-year-old girl who transforms into a giant red panda whenever her emotions run high. Red pandas are not as well-known as giant pandas, however they were actually the first animal to be given the name ‘panda’ – roughly 50 years before it was applied to black and white pandas.

However, it is hoped that Rowan will become part of a breeding pair with Newquay’s other red panda – a female called Seren. Red pandas, which are native to the mountains of Nepal, China and Myanmar, are classed as endangered in the wild, due to deforestation, poaching, hunting for fur, and the pet trade. It has been named Rowan, which means ‘red hair’ in several Celtic languages. Inspired by Pixar’s “Turning Red,” which prominently features these creatures, Aya Sato explains the unique biological history of the red panda.We have welcomed the addition of a new male red panda here at Newquay Zoo. The species has no close living relatives, and their nearest fossil ancestors lived approximately three to four million years ago. Recent genetic research categorized the red panda into their own family: Ailuridae. The animal’s distinct and endearing appearance has made it a leading candidate for anthropomorphic depictions in art, film, and commercial material.įor example, the Firefox web browser mascot isn’t actually a fox, but a red panda! But to be fair, the red panda isn’t a panda (bear) either - though they’re distantly related, and red pandas were actually called “pandas” long before their more popular black-and-white cousins. They have white-lined ears, a ringed tail, and dense reddish-brown fur with a black belly and legs and bear a certain resemblance to raccoons and foxes. Red pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.

Turning red red panda