New Red Panda on the Block

Exciting news coming from the Aspinall Foundation’s Port Lympne Wild Animal Park as they welcomed a new female red panda named Wanmei. The keepers are hoping that Wanmei romantically hits it off with their current male red panda, Tiang Ming, who is the parks resident Red Panda bachelor.

There are only 2,500 Red Pandas left on the planet, mostly in China and the Himalayas. They have a red body and long bushy tail, which they wrap around themselves like a scarf in the winter! They love to sleep stretched out on tree branches, and are excellent climbers and love to forage in trees. Interestingly, the Red Panda keeps clean a bit like a cat, by licking their paws and rubbing themselves.

Tiang Ming was recently moved into a bigger home that is perfect for a family, so it made sense to add a suitable female to get a romance to blossom. Red Panda are usually solitary in the wild unless mating, so they are currently sussing each other out in their new home together.

Animal Director, Adrian Harland, said –

Tiang Ming has been living the life of a contented bachelor for the past few years and we always hoped that a suitable female would be found to keep him company amongst the trees, bamboo and hideaways in his new home – I’m so pleased that Wanmei has joined him and although she is bossing him about at the moment, I have high hopes that a relationship will blossom.  Tiang Ming certainly seems chuffed to have some company. Wanmei and Tiang Ming are getting used to each other now and she is becoming more confident with her new surroundings – she already has a favourite tree which she spends the majority of time in, just watching what’s going on.  As she grows in confidence visitors will be able to see them eating together before returning to their favourite trees.

Here’s hoping that this is the start of a romantic liaison that will soon here the pitter patter of tiny paws at the Port Lympne Park. If you would like to adopt an animal or would like more information about the amazing work of the Aspinall Foundation, check out our dedicated charity page.