The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. announced Monday morning that they were looking for an 11-month-old red panda who vanished overnight. The red panda, named Rusty, arrived at the zoo last month from Lincoln, Neb., and made his D.C. debut in the Smithsonian's Asia Trail habitat two weeks ago on June 10.
The zoo posted this message on its Facebook page Monday morning:
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is missing a red panda, a male named Rusty. He was not in his exhibit this morning when keepers went in to feed the red pandas, and we are not sure how long he has been missing. He was fed and cared for last night at 6 p.m.
Red pandas are arboreal, territorial animals. They prefer to stick very close to their home range, which in Rusty's case is his exhibit. Red pandas typically spend the warm daytime hours resting or sleeping up in trees. Most likely, Rusty is napping hidden in a tree somewhere in or very close to the Zoo. Animal care staff has been carefully combing the trees around Asia Trail and the upper half of the Zoo since 8 a.m. this morning.
However, there is a chance that he's gone further afield, either because he is sick or scared. It's also possible that someone has taken him.
We're asking for your help in keeping an eye out for Rusty. But remember that red pandas are wild animals. They bite when cornered or scared, and even ours are not used to being held or picked up.
If you do see Rusty, don't attempt to approach or trap him. Stay where you can safely keep an eye on him and call 202.633.4888 and alert the Zoo immediately. Try to keep him in your line of sight until Zoo officials arrive.
Red pandas have the same fire-red fur as a fox, with a long, banded tail. They have white faces with large, pointed ears, and weigh about ten pounds.
The National Zoo also tweeted about the missing red panda, asking D.C. residents to keep an eye out for Rusty.
We are looking for a missing red panda, a male named Rusty. He was last seen at 6 p.m. last night.
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
We are looking for a missing red panda, a male named Rusty. He was last seen at 6 p.m. last night.
Animal care staff have been combing the trees around the Zoo since 8 a.m. He could be sick & hiding, or someone could have taken him.
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
Animal care staff have been combing the trees around the Zoo since 8 a.m. He could be sick & hiding, or someone could have taken him.
Please help us keep an eye out for Rusty. Remember: red pandas are wild animals, & will bite if cornered or scared.
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
Please help us keep an eye out for Rusty. Remember: red pandas are wild animals, & will bite if cornered or scared.
If you do see Rusty, don’t try to approach him. Stay where you can safely keep an eye on him & alert the Zoo (202.633.4888) immediately.
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
If you do see Rusty, don’t try to approach him. Stay where you can safely keep an eye on him & alert the Zoo (202.633.4888) immediately.
Red pandas typically spend the warm daytime hours resting, so it’s likely Rusty is somewhere in or near the Zoo hiding in a tree.
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
Red pandas typically spend the warm daytime hours resting, so it’s likely Rusty is somewhere in or near the Zoo hiding in a tree.
Red pandas are arboreal, territorial animals, so it would be unusual for Rusty to wander far from his home range, in his case his exhibit.
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
Red pandas are arboreal, territorial animals, so it would be unusual for Rusty to wander far from his home range, in his case his exhibit.
We will keep Twitter and Facebook updated with any new information.
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
We will keep Twitter and Facebook updated with any new information.
UPDATE - 2:15 p.m. ET: A resident of northwest D.C. appears to have spotted Rusty the red panda!
Spotted near 20th and Biltmore near Airy View condos at 1:25. Are you missing this guy?? @NationalZoo
Ashley Foughty
@AshleyFoughty
Spotted near 20th and Biltmore near Airy View condos at 1:25. Are you missing this guy?? @NationalZoo
Red panda in our neighborhood! 20th NW and Biltmore. Please come save him! @nationalzoo1
Ashley Foughty
@AshleyFoughty
Red panda in our neighborhood! 20th NW and Biltmore. Please come save him! @nationalzoo1
Washington City Paper intern Dan Singer was on the scene as National Zoo officials arrived in the neighborhood to recover Rusty the red panda.
Off to the National Zoo to find Rusty the red panda! My guess is that he went to see One Direction last night.
Dan Singer
@Dan__Singer
Off to the National Zoo to find Rusty the red panda! My guess is that he went to see One Direction last night.
They see him! I don't, but he should be just to my right on a tree.
Dan Singer
@Dan__Singer
They see him! I don't, but he should be just to my right on a tree.
Net ready.
Dan Singer
@Dan__Singer
Net ready.
We have a crate!
Dan Singer
@Dan__Singer
We have a crate!
They got him!
Dan Singer
@Dan__Singer
They got him!
Rusty was crated and transported back to the National Zoo.
Red Panda in custody. CNN photo by Aaron Cooper. #rusty
Vaughn Sterling
@vplus
Red Panda in custody. CNN photo by Aaron Cooper. #rusty
The crew moving out.
Dan Singer
@Dan__Singer
The crew moving out.
UPDATE - 2:22 p.m.: The National Zoo tweets that Rusty has been recovered and is on his way back to the National Zoo!
Rusty the red panda has been recovered, crated & is headed safely back to the National Zoo!
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
Rusty the red panda has been recovered, crated & is headed safely back to the National Zoo!
Thank you so much to everyone who helped us look for and find him!
National Zoo
@NationalZoo
Thank you so much to everyone who helped us look for and find him!
Now that Rusty's safe, here are some adorable pictures of him in the National Zoo's red panda habitat to make you feel better.
See? Everything worked out for the best!
Aww!
