Red panda missing from U.S. zoo found

The Eureka Times Standard reported on Sunday that the tiny creature named Masala was found safe and sound on Saturday night and is back at the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka.

We don’t have many details but, Masala, the little red panda who has been missing from her Sequoia Park Zoo habitat since Thursday has been found!

Zoo manager Gretchen Ziegler said she was unsure how Masala managed to escape. “We are very thankful for all the support!” the zoo posted on Facebook.

The couple’s pairing came at the recommendation of the Red Panda Species Survival Plan, a breeding program for the sustainability of a genetically diverse and healthy population of red pandas at zoos. We are very thankful for all the support! She also said that the zoo is relying on the public to report sightings and eventually track Masala down. Once they got there, they were able to lure Masala down the 10-foot tree with food; a good strategy for the capture of both animals and humans alike, really.

Another added: “I am so happy you spotted her and then kept her in your sight”.

Native to the Himalayas and southwestern China, red pandas are almost extinct because of deforestation, park officials said.