General Features

Brummie of the Year

Babu shot to national fame when he escaped from the Nature Centre in October 2005.  Thankfully he was spotted by a member of the public four days later and was reunited with the centre's other red panda, his twin brother, Tensing.  Babu's exploits earned him the title of 'Brummie of the Year' from local website 'Birmingham - It's Not S***'.

Babu - former 'Brummie of the Year'

Babu and Tensing are at the Nature Centre as part of a European endangered species captive breeding programme, and a suitable mate for Babu has been found at Edinburgh Zoo. 

Endangered

The twin Red Pandas were born at Bristol Zoo on the 15 June 2003, and they have been at Birmingham Nature Centre since March 2005. The nation-wide breeding programme gathers detailed information on animals throughout the country in order to genetically match individuals for mating, as a means of giving the species its best chance of survival.

Babu eats shoots and leaves

Tensing won't be left on his own as he will be joined by Raka from Edinburgh Zoo on a straight exchange which will take place on Sunday 27 January.  Raka is possibly too old to breed successfully with the female panda, Jodie, and so an exchange has been arranged.  Babu will travel to Edinburgh Zoo with Zoo staff while Nature Centre staff make sure that Raku is well settled into his new home in Birmingham.

Tensing waits for new pal Raka

Councillor Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture said:
"The people of Birmingham really took Babu to their hearts and we will be very sorry to lose him but it's great news for the preservation of the species that a mate has been found for him."

Birmingham Nature Centre opening times

Birmingham Nature Centre is open at weekends only, 10am to 3pm until 21 March when the summer season begins. From 22 March to 2 November it will be open every day from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free for children under 16 (accompanied by an adult) and there is a small admission charge for adults.

About Red Pandas

Red Pandas are normally found in Nepal, India, China, Bhutan, Myanmar and Laos and are similar to raccoons in both size and appearance. Their fur is chestnut red coat with a red and cream tail.  They have a very specialised diet that consists almost exclusively of bamboo leaves and shoots. 

Birmingham Nature Centre has planted over 50 bamboo plants in the Red Pandas cage for the pandas to eat; this food is supplemented by a special diet that includes fruit, root vegetables and leaves.