Whipsnade Zoo's red panda cub explores outdoors

Autumn has arrived in full colour at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, and few are embracing the season quite like four-month-old red panda cub, Hattie.  

The elusive new arrival was spotted by an eagle-eyed zoo member venturing out of her cosy nestbox for an exploration with mum Ruby in the crisp October air, their russet tones blending perfectly with the foliage in their leafy home.  

Chloe Hui, a ZSL member who regularly visits Whipsnade Zoo with her camera in tow, managed to be in the right place at the right time to capture a series of pictures of the mother-daughter duo climbing and clambering around their treetop home.  

Born at the conservation zoo in June, Hattie is a vital boost to the conservation breeding programme for her endangered species, with wild red pandas sadly threatened by habitat loss, a decline in their main food source - bamboo - and poaching for the illegal pet, meat, and medicine trade.  

Visitors to the UK’s largest zoo this October half-term can keep an eye out for Hattie and her family, and trick-or-treat themselves to thrilling Halloween activities, including creepy crafts, spooky species talks, and spine-tingling science shows. Children’s tickets are just £10 this half-term - bag the bargain by booking online.   

Help every child discover the wild

At ZSL, we believe every child deserves the chance to explore, play, and learn in nature. But for far too many young people, green spaces are out of reach.

Our Access to Nature Campaign is calling on the government to make access to nature a right for every schoolchild. That means funding for wellies and waterproofs, training for teachers, and wild spaces in every school.

The children who discover nature today will be the ones protecting it tomorrow.

Add your voice – sign the petition today and help give every child access to the wonders of the natural world.

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