Red Panda Day - Zoo Event Review

Well, finally I have some time to write a bit about this Zoo event from last weekend.  If you didn't go, I guess this will be the first and only place you'll read about it.  I just scanned thru the Zoo's FB and there was no sign of a post that gave highlights from this.  I seriously do not understand the Zoo's thought process on anything.

 Happy Red Panda Day!

Celebrating photo I posted to my short blog.  FYI Kodari is the one they was renamed "Tenzing" and the one they seem to only post about :(  In my opinion that's because they can pimp him for Media attention.  I love you too Miss Grace!

Will start off by saying, this is what an "event" should be!  Have nothing to rag on.  I will say from what I know,  this had not much to do with "Zoo" planning, but more the efforts of the Red Panda Animal Staff. They obviously are dedicated to this Animal and wanted to raise funds to help them and spread awareness.  Kudos to Children's Zoo/Red Panda Keepers, Antoinette, Corey and Tricia, and CZ Curator Eric, for putting on a great event.  Thank you!

Below you can see they had an information table set-up, as well a table with raffle prize items.  All donations for the raffle, went to support the Red Panda Network.

Not pictured in the prize item table photo is the below Painting that was standing to photo left.  I love Animal Paintings!  This was a beauty, in my fav color combo, Orange and Pink!   This Painting was done by Grace, the Female Red Panda :)   Done mostly by paw, but with one added swoosh from her tail :)  It was lovely!  ... My suggestion to many facilities that do Animal Art is to photograph them and make note cards and other items so that the Animals Art can go further than just this one offering and many can own and enjoy it.

Below is a close-up of the other items.  In addition to a behind the scenes tour, all other items was hand crafted by Keepers, their Family and Friends, and you can tell they were made out of the passion these people have for this Animal. Each item was wonderful!  My fav was the Rhea Egg, hand painted by Corey, who also did the Stained Glass.  The Metal Work Face was done by Antoinette's Husband.  The hats were made by Corey's Mother and the Scarves by her Friends at Houston Zoo.  

Two Enrichment Items were offered to Grace and Kodari.  A painted box with Bamboo and a fruit filled Ice Treat.  The only hit was the box and only Kodari seemed to like it.  He REALLY like it!  I think my video caught a bit of it, but he was jumping and pouncing all over it!  I vote for fun box items for them every week!  Hopefully Grace had some fun with it after :)

Here;s the link to my Video of 

Kodari playing with his Enrichment Toy :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-OE507CyjI

The event also had Craft based things, Red Panda Mask coloring and Origami.   Posting my offering, as I think the outline would make a great Pumpkin Carving template, if anyone wants to print it out.

Video of Red Panda Origami

Thank you!  to the Staffer
who demo'd this for me to film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55YP9VJXIdE

Red Panda's Return to SFZoo

I for one can't wait to see this little fur ball of cuteness!  I Love Red Pandas!  A Friend told me the Zoo had Red Pandas many years ago.  Glad to see them back in the Collection. ... The official Debut is set for this Weekend.

According to the Acquisitions, the Zoo's new Ten Month Old Male Red Panda was born at the Sacramento Zoo.  Below are a couple links I found that show him at Seven Weeks and at Three/Half Months. 

The photo below is a screencap from this link: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/sacramento-zoo-red-panda-cub_n_3682615.html

OMGosh Cuteness!

Information from this link http://sacramentozoo.blogspot.com/2013/09/red-panda-cub-named-kodari.html note that at Three & a Half Months Old he was named Kodari.  The Sac Zoo website posts "Kodari is the name of a city in Nepal and is one of only two north-south roadways connecting Nepal and Tibet via the Himalayas. Historically, it is the beginning of the trans-Himalayan caravan route that has been referred to as the Nepalese equivalent of the Silk Road, thus has played a culturally significant role in the development of both Nepal and Tibet."  Sadly by Wednesday, he will lose that adorable and appropriate moniker, when per usual, the Zoo will rename him.

Via an sfgate.com article, "S.F. Zoo emeritus board member Barry Lipman and his wife, Marie, pledged $31,000 to secure the naming rights to the panda."

Readers of my blogs know that I am always bothered by the renaming thing.  Unless the Animals also get to keep their original names and those names are used by their Keepers, I am totally against this and find it completely disrespectful.  I also feel that those who bid to do such, have disposable income for such luxuries, and should make the donation to the Animals Care, and do the right thing and allow them to keep their names.  BUT ... THAT never happens.    ... It might actually be an option if the Director presented the "auction" in this such way, but she obviously doesn't.

This all said, regardless of what the Zoo names the little fella, I will call him Kodari.  

You can view more photos of Kodari at Seven Weeks Old :) on the Zoo Borns site:
http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2013/08/red-panda-sacramento-zoo-update.html

Kodari will be getting a girlfriend very soon :)  They already have a breeding recommendation, so we can hopefully look forward to Red Panda Cubbies in the future!

5.6.14 Correction to above info.  I was originally told they had a breeding recommendation, but I found out today that is not true.  I did some research last night on Grace, the Female who will be joining Kodari and my preliminary info showed she had given birth at least twice already, possibly 3x.  So, she is done breeding.  Their match-up is for companionship.  She's a bit older so will be his Mrs Robinson ;)  ... She is in quarantine now, so will post about her when she is out! :)  Can't wait to see them together!  I saw him today!  Beyond cuteness!  Stay tuned to my other blog for photos and video links!