Wildlife Park puts down red panda due to ill health

A red panda has been put down at Highland Wildlife Park after its health continued to deteriorate.

Staff at the park, near Kincraig in Strathspey, said Jodie had been having trouble breathing and after suffering her third episode of losing balance.

The panda, which had spent time at Edinburgh Zoo before being moved north in 2008, had been living on her own since her partner Babu died.

In a statement, the Highland Wildlife Park said: “Sadly on Monday afternoon we had to put Jodie, our red panda, to sleep.

“She had a third episode of losing balance, with laboured breathing, and we didn’t want her to suffer any more.

“She has always been a firm favourite with both staff and visitors alike.”

The endangered species, native to the eastern Himalayas and southwest China, bear no relation to the giant panda but are instead linked to the raccoon.

Last month, a female Amur tiger at the park was put down after her health also started to fail.