Zoo Boise welcomes rare Styan's Red Pandas as part of conservation effort

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) — Zoo Boise reports two rare Styan's Red Pandas will join the Boise Zoo.

The Styan's subspecies of the red panda is larger with thick dark hair due to its regular habitat in colder climates. A male and female arrived in Boise from the San Diego and Milwaukee County Zoos, and Zoo Boise reports that both are adjusting well to their new home.

The addition of these red pandas at Zoo Boise is the direct result of the incredible care our zoo staff gives to each and every one of our animals," said Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway. "I'm proud of our team, and we look forward to introducing these endangered red pandas to the community as we continue to support this important species.

The two red pandas are part of a conservation program that aims to help select endangered or threatened species called the Red Panda Species Survival Plan. The program's primary role is to serve as a breeding program for selected endangered species.

Zoo Boise is building a state-of-the-art red panda complex to provide space for multiple red panda pairs to live and play in an environment mimicking an Asian forest similar to their natural habitat.