SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 2, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Hogle Zoo’s red panda, MowMow, brought in as part of an endangered animal breeding program, has been moved to Virginia in hopes he will continue sowing his wild oats.
While at Hogle Zoo, MowMow was paired with female red panda Priya, resulting in the 2023 birth of son Dorji. Priya died late last year.
“MowMow took on the rare role of caring for young Dorji — behavior uncommon for red panda dads,” the Hogle Zoo statement says. “MowMow’s gentle nature shone as he groomed, cuddled, and played for hours with Dorji, teaching him how to ‘panda.'”
MowMow will “reside at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. While we’ll miss MowMow, we’re proud to support the Red Panda Species Survival Plan (SSP) in growing red panda populations.”
MowMow will not be on display.
“The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, which is closed to the public, plays a leading role in global efforts to protect wildlife species from extinction and train future conservationists.”
Red panda care at Utah’s “Hogle Zoo is far from over,” the Zoo statement says. “Native to the mountainous forests of China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, red pandas belong to their own family, Ailuridae, and are divided into two species: Ailurus fulgens fulgens (Himalayan red pandas) and Ailurus fulgens styani (Chinese red pandas).
“Through our partnership with The Association of Zoos and Aquariums SSP and several recommendations, we’ll soon transition from caring for Himalayan red pandas (like MowMow) to Chinese red pandas. Stay tuned for an announcement coming soon!”
