A top Scottish zoo has shared an adorable picture of one of its most popular new arrivals enjoying his second birthday. Rufio the Red Panda arrived at the Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder, near Livingston, in May last year.
He was pictured happily playing as he was spoiled on his big day by the keepers. The zoo shared two images of a delighted-looking Rufio on their Facebook page.
One shows a close up of his wee face, while a second shows him playing at the feet of one of the keeper team. Delighted fans of the popular fluffball posted to wish him well.
One wrote: "He is the cutest wee guy, Happy Birthday!"
While another added: "Rufio is my absolute favourite at the zoo… he’s super sweet."
Rufio (named after the Lost Boy of the same name in the film Hook) arrived at the park in spring last year and quickly set about exploring his new purpose-built enclosure.
The little male, who was sourced from South Lakes safari zoo in Cumbria, travelled north when keepers at FSZ completed his special exhibit where visitors can view him from both sides. He's quickly become a star attraction at the Zoo.
With existing mature trees and rope walk bridges for Rufio to climb and walk on, the Zoo also planted over 100 large Bamboo plants under the mature trees to mimic the natural surroundings of the steep forested slopes they are found living on in Asia.
Native to southern Asia, according to the WWF, the name panda is said to come from the Nepali word ‘ponya,’ which means bamboo-eating animal.
About the same size as a small dog, with distinctive red and white fur and a large bushy tail, red pandas are predominantly tree-dwellers.
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