PATTAYA, THAILAND – A young red panda pair at Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Pattaya captured visitors’ hearts in time for Father’s Day as the park unveiled the animals as a new December attraction.
New stars at Wild Life Wonderland
At the center of the Father’s Day celebrations was the red panda pair Hachi and Hana, on view in the Wild Life Wonderland’s so‑called Pink Zone. The four-year-old male Hachi and the three-year-old female Hana were presented there in detail for the first time.
According to the zoo, the pair developed into a real magnet within a short period of time. Visitors watched the animals’ reddish-brown fur, mask-like faces and strikingly bright eyes as they engaged in playful activities.
“Instant crowd favorites”
Narongwit, a representative of the zoo, described the response to the new attraction as exceptionally positive.
“These two red pandas have instantly become crowd favorites thanks to their lovable appearance and lively behavior.”
said Narongwit, zoo representative.
“You often see them climbing trees, grooming each other or simply relaxing in particularly photogenic poses.”
said Narongwit, adding that the animals stayed mostly in areas that were easily visible to visitors.
Endangered species with its own family
Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) originally came from the eastern Himalaya region and southwestern China. Despite their name and their bear-like facial markings, they were not closely related to the giant panda but formed their own zoological family.
Characteristic features included their bushy, ringed tail and traits reminiscent of raccoons. The species was considered endangered, particularly due to habitat loss and other threats in its native regions.
December focus on families and conservation
Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced that in December it aimed more strongly at families, combining visits in a natural setting with insights into the world of endangered species. Encounters with rare animals such as the red pandas were to be a central focus.
The zoo stressed that time spent with Hachi and Hana should remain a heart-warming experience. At the same time, it wanted to draw attention to the protection of these and other threatened species.
Visitor information and outlook
For questions and detailed information, the zoo provided a contact option via the telephone number 038-318444.
The wildlife park near Pattaya expressed confidence that it would welcome numerous domestic and international guests over the course of December, thanks in part to the new red panda pair, which was already regarded as one of the most photogenic highlights of the facility.