BOISE, Idaho — Zoo Boise is opening the new Red Panda Passage on Wednesday, featuring a mix of indoor and outdoor habitat space and an overhead walkway that allows the pandas to move between different areas.
“This is an exciting day for Zoo Boise, the City of Boise, and the red pandas,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “I know I speak on behalf of the entire community in sharing our gratitude for the dedication of our zookeepers, educators, and the Zoo Boise team. We look forward to welcoming people from around the world to this exhibit, showcasing your animal conservation efforts and this wonderful new habitat.”
The new exhibit is replacing the current red panda habitat, which Zoo Boise says was built in 2004 and was intended to be a temporary exhibit. The new complex offers more space and climbing opportunities for the red pandas, and also has the ability to maintain the pandas' ideal temperatures.
“This is an exciting day for everyone who has been involved in this project, and we are proud to be a leader in the preservation of this species,” said Zoo Boise Executive Director Gene Peacock. “This new exhibit and the animals who call it home allow us even more opportunities to engage with guests and share the importance of red pandas worldwide."
Zoo Boise is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online.
