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ROYAL OAK, Mich., January 16, 2008 – The Detroit Zoo’s newest “hottie” is Curry, a 1-year-old female red panda, who joins the Zoo as a companion to 4-year-old male, Rupert. Zoo officials are hoping Curry will add some spice to Rupert’s life and the two will eventually breed.
“We are excited to welcome Curry into the Detroit Zoo family. Red pandas are a threatened species and we look forward to doing our part to help sustain the captive population,” said Director of Conservation and Animal Welfare Scott Carter.
Curry’s transfer from New Jersey’s Cape May County Zoo was recommended by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Red Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative conservation program in which the Zoo participates.
Contrary to popular belief, the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is not a bear but rather belongs to a family all its own. The red panda is about the size of a house cat with soft, rust-colored fur and a long, ringed tail. Its nicknames include “fire fox” and “shining cat.”
Red pandas are skillful and agile climbers. Winter is a good time for Detroit Zoo visitors to spot Curry and Rupert hanging from branches or lounging on tree limbs in their wooded habitat.
The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak. The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October. Admission is $11.00 for adults 13 to 61, $9.00 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7.00 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free. For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. For more information, call (313) 852-4056.
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