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snowleopard

Red Panda Exhibit - New in 2019

July 14, 2022

Red Panda Exhibit - New in 2019
snowleopard, 14 Jul 2022
    • snowleopard
      This new Red Panda exhibit is fantastic. The tree on the right goes much higher and during my visit there were two Red Pandas far up in the branches and technically outside the perimeter of their enclosure. They eventually walked down, then both crossed over visitors (via an overhead tunnel system) and ventured into a second exhibit on the far left of this photo. There is actually a third habitat off to the side, as well as an indoor area for the animals and a small wooden play zone for kids. Edmonton Valley Zoo has bred at least a dozen Red Pandas in the past dozen or so years, and it's great to see that the zoo has built a really nice complex for one of its marquee species.

      Here is my photo of the Red Panda exhibit in 2012:

      [​IMG]
    • PAT
      Looks like a huge improvement. Thanks for sharing.
      snowleopard likes this.
    • DevinL
      The red pandas must love those trees (they look like mature elm trees) and I am very glad to see them included.
      @snowleopard Are there any elevated areas for visitors, so that they can get a better view of the red pandas in the treetops? That question is admittedly a bit rhetorical.
      The key concept for Nature's Backyard, of which this is a part, was to parallel animal and visitor levels and movement. Arboreal animals, including red pandas, would be viewed from elevated visitor areas. Terrestrial animals would be viewed at level. Aquatic animals would be viewed underwater. Fossorial animals would be viewed from burrowed viewing areas.
      I am wondering how well they are executing that concept, which I think is a good concept for a children's zoo area.
      snowleopard likes this.
    • snowleopard
      There are zero elevated areas for visitors to see the Red Pandas at treetop height. In fact, when the pandas are in the tall elm trees then everyone has to strain their necks skywards like at most other Red Panda zoo exhibits. However, it is possible to get very close to the pandas when they are in the lower level of their enclosure, and seeing them go across the overhead tunnel (which isn't very high) is a thrill. I saw two of the zoo's three pandas do just that!

      Here is the walkway between the first two exhibits:

      [​IMG]
      DevinL likes this.
    • DevinL
      Was there a public viewing area within that building for red pandas in the photo above? It looks like they made it a feature part of the exhibit.
    • snowleopard
      @DevinL Yes, although it suffers from the same fate as the Lemur House in that there are serious issues with glare. It's frustrating when a zoo has an enclosure that requires everyone to put their hands to the sides of their face just to shut out sunlight. There is a nice indoor area for the Red Pandas, as well as a third exhibit that is off to the side and doesn't contain any tall trees.
      DevinL likes this.
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  • Category:
    Edmonton Valley Zoo
    Uploaded By:
    snowleopard
    Date:
    14 Jul 2022
    View Count:
    338
    Comment Count:
    6

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