Alurus fulgens fulgens, Red Panda

December 2, 2008: The baby otter is doing really well. The parents have moved the little one up to the top otter holt far away from public. The little otter has come out on show a couple of times, but is still very shy.

The red pandas do not seem bothered one bit by the arrival and still no signs of breeding or courtship. We're gutted, but you just can't make it happen. But we'll encourage as much as physically possible.

October 7, 2008: Well Puyi and Bron are no longer spending much time together, but rather just doing their own thing except when feeding. Funny how meals often bring people together and it seems animals too.

Although our Red Pandas seem reluctant to breed, the Asia short-claw otters in their enclosure have bred. About three weeks ago lots of noises were heard from the otter holt, which suggested she had given birth.

The otter holt was closed to public and staff since she is a first-time mum and it's essential not to disturb her or she may eat the young.

The first week is the most risky one, nearly a month on and it's certain we have baby otters, possible four little ones.

It's unknown how many we have until they start emerging from the otter holt into the enclosure, then the holt can be re-opened to the public.

It'll be interesting to see what Puyi and Bron make of all the little ones, hopefully it won't send them higher into the trees, but make them broody instead.

July 26, 2007: The old cactus house and greenhouse that got damaged by strong winds have been knocked down. Both of these were close to the top end of the otter/red panda enclosure (but far from the public).

For safety to the animals, part of the top end of the enclosure has been locked up to keep the animals near the bottom end, as both buildings have a lot of glass.

Neither the red pandas nor the otters seem to have noticed, which is good as then they will have not have got stressed, or at least not obviously so.

Puyi and Bron have been spending a lot of time high in the tree tops and this makes it hard to observe them properly. As far as I'm aware they are still not showing any signs of courtship to one another.

So far, out of the breeding programmes we are following, only the penguins have bred. However, the zoo does have new members to get excited about.

We have at least three baby polecats. I say at least, as there maybe as many as six, but we've only seen three out at once.

Also there are three great grey owls, one is in the enclosure and has been parent reared, the other two have been hand reared by Simon Killick.

One has gone to a falconry centre and one has gone onto the presentations section to be trained up for shows.

Plus a striated caracara has hatched out, which is a rare bird of prey. We have had baby goats and plenty of fawns. There is also a possibility of baby red squirrels.

The Scarlet/Green wing macaws have had eggs, but all have been smashed except one which is in an incubator, so fingers crossed. But not a bad year for the zoo.

Red panda introduction and photos
How close are the pandas?
The pandas turn to stealing
No time for sleep
Hiding from the weather