New red Panda Kamala moves into the Leipzig Zoo - a new star!

New red Panda Kamala moves into the Leipzig Zoo - a new star!

In the Leipzig Zoo there is an exciting new addition: Kamala, a ten -month -old red panda, has now moved into its new habitat. Kamala comes from France and will obtain the enclosure that has been empty since Lilo and Zimai's death in 2024. The zookeepers prepare everything to make it easier for her to get used to. Holger, one of the zookeepers, is busy equipping the enclosure with bamboo, which offers the curious panda both cover and feed. Kamala was delivered in a heavy transport box and showed a little excited when she arrived, which meant that Holger initially left her the necessary space to acclimatize. The Leipzig Zoo plans to keep further red pandas in the future to promote breeding successes that have already been achieved in the past.

The zookeeper Lasse Nieberding was enthusiastic about Kamala. He emphasized that red pandas, also known as small pandas or cat bears, are very popular animals in the zoo. In recent years it has been quieter in the facility after the male Zimai died in July 2024 and the partner Lilo had to sleep in October 2023. The return of a new female such as Kamala marks a new beginning and a new era for the red pandas in the Leipzig zoo.

acclimatization and outlook

After Kamala stepped out of her transport box, she showed herself carefully, but also curious. The zookeepers expect them to quickly get used to the new smells and the presence of people. This familiarization phase will be crucial to build a bond between the animal and the carers. It is also the goal of achieving future breeding successes and supporting the population of the red pandas in the zoo.

red pandas mainly feed on bamboo and need plenty of space to climb and play. Kamala will live in the facility together with Schopfbries, which gives visitors a variety of animals. The interest of zoo visitors in these striking and charming animals is growing steadily, so that those responsible for the zoo see the resettlement of red pandas as an important project. It remains to be seen how Kamala will settle, but the expectations are quite positive.

The Leipzig Zoo has already carried out successful breeding programs for red pandas in the past. These new efforts to breed should not only contribute to the preservation of the species, but also stimulate the interest and enthusiasm of the visitors. The return of the red pandas to Leipzig is an exciting step into the future.