Red Pandas

I love Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens). They are among my favorite animals. I've seen a couple in my lifetime; the first one was at the Bronx Zoo. More recently, I was lucky enough to see one at the Turtleback Zoo in West Orange, NJ.

It was blistering hot the day we visited and I was upset to find the Red Panda exhibit empty. After nearly giving up and walking to the leopard exhibit, we went back upon hearing the yells of excited kids. Sure enough, the Red Panda had emerged from his (presumably air conditioned) sanctuary and ventured out into the heat, just a few feet away from the adoring crowd.

It took every inch of my being not to steal this little bundle of fuzz.

See more photos in my Flickr set here.