Endangered red panda missing from Belfast Zoo
Written by News on 28/01/2019
A rare red panda has gone missing from Belfast Zoo.
Police in the Northern Irish capital are trying to trace the animal and are warning members of the public not to go near it.
It went missing on Sunday and is “believed to be currently taking in the sights of beautiful Glengormley”, officers said.
While they are not aggressive, red pandas can become defensive when cornered.
Police said: “Our curious friend has not yet learned the green cross code, so if motorists could also be vigilant!”
Two panda cubs were born at the zoo in June last year but only started to venture outside towards the end of 2018.
Red pandas are slightly larger than a domestic cat, with thick reddish-brown fur.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the species is facing a very high risk of extinction.
It is believed there are between 10,000 and 20,000 left in existence.
(c) Sky News 2019: Endangered red panda missing from Belfast Zoo
