Red Pandas are objectively and scientifically one of the cutest animals in existence. Not a volunteer shift goes by at the Denver Zoo when I have to sadly inform someone that we don’t have them anymore. But you know who does? Pueblo! And what else do they have? An up-close encounter!
So of course I have to do it.
I got to meet all three of their little red firefoxes, Rupert Jr., Princess Priya, and Sleepy Tusa. Part of the encounter is helping with some operant conditioning; without physical contact with their keepers, it’s a lot harder for these guys to get their regular medical exams. So how to train them? By rewarding them with snacks after they allow you to feel their backs. In other words, by feeding and petting them!
If you have any normal level of love for these amazing creatures, and you have any opportunity at all to run through Pueblo, CO, take a look at doing this up-close encounter. The staff are amazing, and the pandas are as incredible as you would imagine. Plus, every up-close Red Panda encounter helps support the Red Panda Network and their mission of conservation of Red Pandas in the wild.
The Zootographer 