New arrival Neo brings hope for endangered red pandas at Longleat
Two-year-old Neo has joined Maya as part of a global breeding programme
Longleat is welcoming a new addition to its red panda family as Neo, a two-year-old male, becomes part of an international breeding programme.
Neo is being introduced to Maya in one of the estate’s two red panda habitats. While there are hopes for breeding success, keepers believe it may take until next year to see cubs, as red pandas are only fertile for one day a year.
Keeper Samantha Peeke said: “Red pandas are only fertile for one day a year and with the breeding season ending at the end of January, we may need to wait a year before we hear the patter of tiny paws.
“Neo is settling in well and has been very curious about his surroundings since he arrived earlier this week. We will be introducing him to Maya over the coming days.”
Red pandas are an endangered species commonly found in Nepal, with Neo’s full name, Neora, meaning ‘shining light’ in Nepalese, while Maya translates to ‘love.’ There are fewer than 10,000 red pandas left in the wild, and numbers may be as low as 2,500 due to habitat loss and poaching. Global population numbers of red pandas have decreased by 50 per cent over the past 20 years.
Visitors can already see Neo in the panda house near the Lorikeets in Animal Adventure on the Wiltshire estate. Maya’s previous companion, Koda, has moved to live with Emma near Jungle Cruise, following the death of Lionel last year.