St. Louis Zoo Welcomes Trio of Endangered Red Pandas

Endangered Red Pandas Find Refuge at St. Louis ZooEndangered Red Pandas Find Refuge at St. Louis Zoo The St. Louis Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of three critically endangered red pandas: two brothers named Xishu and Xiannu, and a sister named Yaya. These adorable animals are a welcome addition to the zoo’s population and will play a vital role in the conservation of their species. Red pandas, native to the eastern Himalayas, face numerous threats in the wild, including habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. As a result, their population has declined significantly in recent years, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to list them as “Endangered.” The St. Louis Zoo is committed to protecting these magnificent animals and has long been involved in conservation efforts. The zoo’s red panda habitat features a lush bamboo forest, waterfalls, and a variety of climbing structures, providing the pandas with a stimulating and natural environment. Xishu, Xiannu, and Yaya were born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and have been vaccinated and quarantined before their arrival in St. Louis. They are now settling into their new home and have already shown enthusiasm for their bamboo diet and climbing abilities. “We are so excited to welcome these red pandas to the St. Louis Zoo,” said Steve Bircher, the zoo’s vice president of animal collections. “Their arrival is a testament to our commitment to wildlife conservation and education. We hope that our visitors will fall in love with these amazing animals and be inspired to support efforts to protect them in the wild.” Visitors to the St. Louis Zoo can see Xishu, Xiannu, and Yaya in their new habitat in the Red Panda Conservation Center. The center is designed to educate guests about the importance of red panda conservation and provide opportunities to support their efforts. The St. Louis Zoo is a leader in wildlife conservation and has played a significant role in saving endangered species around the world. The arrival of these three red pandas is a further testament to the zoo’s commitment to protecting the planet’s most vulnerable animals.