Red Panda Re-Captured
Pichu the runaway red panda is nabbed after more than two months of
freedom
A red panda which escaped from a wildlife park with her cub has been
found alive up a tree more than two months after going missing.
The mother and her cub - named Pichu and Isla - wandered free in
February after their enclosure was damaged in a storm.
Pichu was recaptured yesterday after being spotted on a tree branch
just a few miles from the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park near
Kirkcudbright in the south of Scotland.
The racoon-like creature is said to be "none the worse" for her weeks
in the wild - but Isla is still missing.
Pichu and Isla left the father panda behind after a tree fell on their
enclosure, allowing them to escape overnight between February 7 and 8.
Efforts are now continuing to find Isla so the family can be reunited.
Park director John Denerley said Pichu had been discovered by a farmer
yesterday.
He contacted Mr Denerley and Pichu was recaptured using a net.
"Pichu has yet to have veterinary checks, but appears to be well," he
said.
"Everyone at the wildlife park is delighted to have her back, but the
other one is still on the loose."
Mr Denerley said Pichu had been found on a tree branch which he said
was "quite high up".
"She looked like a Cheshire Cat on the tree," he said.
About the size of a small dog, red pandas are native to southern Asia
and mainly eat bamboo.
They are nocturnal and spend most of the day curled up sleeping with
their bushy tail wrapped around their head.
A spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Police said: "The panda
recovered would appear to be none the worse for its time out of the park."
Anyone who thinks they might have seen Isla is asked to contact
Kirkcudbright police.
Daily Mail: 16th April 2008
