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Cape May County Zoo has a new resident: Ember, a nine-month-old red panda, has joined the zoo’s panda habitat this month. Ember arrived earlier in March from the Trevor Lovejoy Zoo at Millbrook School in New York, according to News 12 Long Island.
Zoo staff describe Ember as curious and cautious as she explores her new surroundings. She is gradually adjusting and can often be seen playing with enrichment activities designed to keep her active. For now, Ember is being kept apart from Aurora, the zoo’s other red panda. While Aurora remains in the front yard of the habitat, Ember is spending time in the back yard or inside, giving her space to settle in, as noted by Cape May Local Scoop.
Red pandas, sometimes called “firefoxes,” are native to the forests of the Eastern Himalayas and are known for their reddish coats and bamboo-based diet. Although they share a name, red pandas are not closely related to giant pandas. Visitors to the zoo may spot Ember in the rear panda yard or indoors as she continues to acclimate.
The zoo has shared that Ember’s playful nature is already delighting guests, and she is expected to become a popular attraction as she settles in alongside Aurora. For those interested in seeing Ember, the zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., giving visitors a chance to welcome the newest member of the red panda family. More details about Ember’s arrival can be found in coverage from MSN.
Zoo staff will continue to monitor Ember’s adjustment and plan to introduce her to Aurora in the future, once both animals are comfortable.