Relocated Red Pandas Housed in A/C Rooms
BURSA ZOO KEEPS RED PANDAS COOL DURING HOT WEATHER
As the temperatures rise, the red pandas at Bursa Zoo in Turkey are finding refuge in their air-conditioned shelter. This zoo, a full member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, is home to two of these charming animals, who are popular issues among visitors.
Hailing from the Himalayas, red pandas are sensitive to temperatures exceeding 23 degrees Celsius. To provide comfort during hot days, the zoo has created a special air-conditioned room for these animals, which measure approximately 50-60 centimeters in length, with tails up to 50 centimeters, and weigh around 10 kilograms. Their diet primarily consists of bamboo, along with apples, pears, grapes, and bananas.
In the morning, red pandas prefer to rest and move around in the trees, but as the sun gains intensity, they retreat to their cooled quarters to stay comfortable. Yasin Yurtlu, their caretaker, mentioned that the red pandas are fed a diet rich in fruits, stating that they dislike hot weather and are more active and playful in colder climates.
One of the red pandas is male, and the other is female. The zoo strives to ensure that all its animals live in environments designed to replicate their natural habitats as closely as possible. Before bringing in a new animal, the zoo staff learns about the animal's native habitat and prepares a space that caters to its needs.
Bursa Zoo spans over 200,000 square meters and boasts 11 ponds, 2,000 trees, 50,000 bushes, and 150,000 ground plants. In addition to red pandas, the zoo is home to various species, including lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas, vultures, llamas, giraffes, koalas, tapirs, kangaroos, and iguanas. The zoo attracts around 1 million visitors each year.
Red pandas, with their natural habitat in the Himalayas, find a comfortable lifestyle at Bursa Zoo even during hot weather, as the zoo has created a home-and-garden for them that includes an air-conditioned room, similar to the cool and shady forested areas they prefer. Away from the heated sun, these charming creatures, popular among visitors, can rest and play with their diet of bamboo and fruits.
