A red panda named Sunny has been missing from her Virginia Zoo habitat for two days. On Thursday, zoo staff and volunteers searched surrounding neighborhoods in search of the 18-month-old.
Sunny was reported missing by the Virginia Zoo on Tuesday morning. According to staff, she was last seen in her enclosure on Monday at 5 p.m.
In their efforts to find her, staff searched the zoo grounds using a geothermal camera provided by the Norfolk Police Department. Surrounding properties, including St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lafayette Park and the neighborhoods of Lindenwood, Villa Heights and Riverview, were searched on Wednesday.
The zoo also invited members of the public to take part in an additional neighborhood search party.
Janie Wood said she turned out for the search because of her daughter’s connection with red pandas.
“My daughter went to school at the Smithonisan Conservation Biology Institute,” she said. “Her project was to take care of red pandas, so this has captured my heart.”
Wood’s explanation for Sunny’s escape aligns with the zoo’s theory that red panda breeding season may have played a role in her disappearance.
“Red pandas are climbers so I’m guessing she didn’t want to be with her male friend anymore,” she said. “I imagine she’s hiding really well out there. I hope they find her. ”
According to the zoo, Sunny may have fallen from a branch while being pursued by Thomas, the male red panda.
Zoo staff cannot rule out that Sunny could have entered the exhibit of another animal, but zoo educator Kelsie Meyers said it’s extremely unlikely.
“Based on where her enclosure is in the zoo, we are thinking, if anything, she may have fallen in the boardwalk area,” she said. “We’re very optimistic and very hopeful that we will find her.”
Thursday’s search party was instructed to look closely in high tree branches and in the tall brush surrounding the zoo.
Daphne Gill, who’s currently in the area visiting her daughter, brought out her binoculars for the search.
“I’ve been watching this story on the news and sure hope Sunny is okay,” she said. “I came out because the more people we have the more likely it is that she will be found.”
According to the zoo, red pandas are not considered aggressive. Sunny has reddish-brown fur and a long tail, much like a raccoon. If you believe you’ve spotted Sunny, call the Virginia Zoo at 757-777-7899.
Pohl may be reached at [email protected]
