Red panda shares first “kiss” with new companion after arriving at Woburn Safari Park
Kochi travelled from France last week as part of a European breeding programme
A young male red panda has arrived at Woburn Safari Park — and keepers say he has already shared his first “kiss” with his new companion.
Kochi travelled from Zoo du Bassin d’Arcachon in France last week as part of a European breeding programme aimed at helping protect the endangered species.
The new arrival has quickly settled into his new surroundings, with Catherine Doherty, Head of Animal Encounters at Woburn Safari Park, describing him as a “lovely animal” with a “very sweet nature”.
“He’s such a lovely animal and we’re honestly just delighted to have him here at the Safari Park,” she said. “He’s a very sweet-natured, really confident individual.”
Kochi has already begun getting to know Woburn’s resident female red panda, Mali.
The pair have not yet been introduced face-to-face, but keepers have started the careful process of allowing them to become familiar with one another. They have already had what staff call “nose-to-nose” contact, with a mesh barrier between them to ensure their safety.
Catherine described the moment as their “first kiss”.
“Yeah, 100%, that is exactly what it is,” she said. “It is basically their first kiss.”
The introduction is the first step in a carefully managed breeding process, which helps maintain healthy populations of endangered species in human care.
Red pandas are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, with threats including habitat loss and illegal poaching.
They are expert climbers and spend much of their time in trees, where they feel safest. They also have a unique rotating ankle joint, allowing them to climb down trees head-first.
Catherine explained that Kochi’s arrival is about much more than welcoming a new animal to the park.
“It’s not just about having a new arrival, which of course is lovely for us as a Safari Park team and for visitors,” she said. “It’s also about contributing to the long-term conservation of the species.”
Kochi’s journey from France involved months of preparation, with teams completing around 76 documents to ensure his safe transfer.
He travelled in a climate-controlled vehicle kept at around 17 degrees Celsius — a comfortable temperature for red pandas, which are native to the cooler Himalayan mountain ranges.
Catherine said the arrival of the specialist animal transport vehicle was a special moment for the team.
“For animal keepers, this transport truck is like Santa’s sleigh for kids,” she said. “This is like the most exciting thing for us animal keepers.”