26 June 2011
A zoo in Bristol is trying to breed baby Sir Eds.
‘Sir Ed’ is a red panda which was transferred there from Wellington Zoo to meet his love match and help boost the species' numbers.
Just like his namesake, the red Sir Ed is a keen climber, but he's met his match. Perched right at the very top of the enclosure’s tree is Jasmina. Only problem is she won't let him join her in her favourite spot, not yet at least.
“At first she gave him the run around and she chased him around the enclosure just to remind him that he is the newbie, and that was the first day but since then we've seen them interacting briefly, sniffing each other, [there have] been no problems,” says zookeeper Simon Robinson.
The organiser of a worldwide breeding programme recommended Sir Ed be transferred from New Zealand to Bristol for breeding because he has good genes and a clean bill of health.
When your species is classed as vulnerable, those are good qualities to look for in a male.
Sir Ed arrived from Bristol last week and the keepers are surprised at how quickly he's settled in, but when his nearest neighbours are the keas, perhaps it feels just like home.
It may also help that he's already proving a hit with the locals.
Zoo staff hope Jasmina will feel the same way about Sir Ed one day soon, her new mate does come with benefits after all.
Her role is now important too and the keepers hope to hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet and a new generation of climbers within the next year.
