WASHINGTON — Rusty the red panda could soon have new digs.
The Washington National Zoo says a renovation for the red panda habitat is fully funded. Zoo keepers, designers and construction teams are now deciding what upgrades can be done with the resources they have.
Rusty and his cubs, Slash, Clinger and Shredder, are currently living at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal. The zoo says it’s possible Rusty won’t move to Woodley Park. Rusty and his mate Shama were originally moved from the zoo because visitor traffic from panda cub Bao Bao was impeding them from mating. The pair successfully produced cubs but Shama was euthanized in August of 2014 after becoming sick with a parasite.
Construction starts in the coming months.
Rusty caused a stir when in June 2013 he escaped from the zoo and was seen walking around the District. He was eventually captured unharmed in a tree in Adams Morgan. Check out the gallery to see more photos of Rusty and his adventures.
WTOP’s Megan Cloherty contributed to this report.
