This Article is From Jun 02, 2011

Rare red pandas find a new home in China

Yunnon province , China: More than 40 red pandas have moved into their new home in the Pu'er National Park in southwest China's Yunnan Province, making the park the largest red panda breeding centre in China.

Red pandas - which are also known as lesser pandas - are listed as a vulnerable and endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and have been given protected status in China.

Among the 44 red pandas at the Pu'er National Park, a white-furred one named Huanhuan is particularly eye-catching.

According to one of the park's employees, Huanhuan - who is male and six-years-old - is the only white-furred red panda in China today.

Both of Huanhuan's parents are common lesser pandas with reddish brown fur.

Not only does Huanhuan get along well with other red pandas, he also found a mate three years ago and now has a female cub.

Huanhuan's daughter has not inherited her father's white fur, however.

The park's 44 red pandas - 13 male and 31 female - came from the Yaojiaping Lesser Panda Breeding Centre in the Nujiang Autonomous Prefecture.

Pan Hua, Assistant to the General Manager of Yunnan Mekong River Investment Corporation, said: "We plan to make the Pu'er National Park the largest lesser panda breeding centre of China, so as to breed and protect lesser pandas."

The hope is that in time the park will become home to more than 100 red pandas.

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