Birmingham Zoo Welcomes New Red Panda – July 6th, 2022

The Birmingham Zoo is thrilled to welcome two-year-old, female, Himalayan red panda named Kodo to our Zoo family! Kodo arrived at the Birmingham Zoo last month from the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, Massachusetts, also accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

After a few short weeks behind-the-scenes, she has completed her health exam and routine quarantine at the Zoo’s Animal Health Center and is now getting acclimated to her new home in the Predator building. Zoo Animal Care Professionals (ACPs) have been taking great care of Kodo and allowing her all the time she needs to become comfortable with her new habitat before introducing her to current resident male red panda, Gizmo.

According to Scott Kayser, Zoological Manager of Predators, “We are excited to welcome Kodo to the Birmingham Zoo as a part of our ongoing collaboration with the Red Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP).” The program is in place to ensure that there is a genetically diverse population of species in AZA accredited zoos and aquariums in North America. “Through the Red Panda SSP, Kodo has been recommended to breed with Gizmo. We are hopeful they will hit it off and will be crossing our fingers for red panda cubs next year.” In 2013, previous Zoo red pandas, Sorrel and Shifu, gave birth to two cubs, Fred and George, who now live at the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, North Dakota.

“Kodo has been with us for a short time but has already stolen our hearts,” says Victoria Kaml, ACP, Predators. “She is very friendly and loves her fruit!”

View Birmingham Zoo Announces Welcomes New Red Panda Press release HERE