Britain's Panda On The Run Found Hiding Up A Tree

FLORA AND FAUNA

Photo of a red panda.

London (AFP) Nov 03, 2005
A rare red panda called Babu whot went on the run in Britain's second-biggest city Birmingham has been found safe and well up a tree, officials said on Thurdsay.

The cat-sized creature -- who looks more like a racoon than the Giant Panda bear -- sparked a desperate plea to local residents to check sheds and gardens after he disappeared from Birmingham Nature Centre on Sunday.

He was eventually discovered -- apparently unscathed from his foray into the urban jungle -- about 60ft (18.2 metres) up a tree, one mile (1.6 kilometres) away.

Although red pandas eat mainly bamboo, Babu is thought to have survived on fruit and berries from nearby trees and was also spotted dining out at a bird table.

Geoff Cole of Birmingham City Council said: "We are immensely relieved to have Babu back and reunited with his brother Tensing.

"Since their arrival here, the red pandas have been the centre's most popular attraction."

Keeper Colin Parker said: "I haven't slept since he went missing early on Sunday morning, so it's a huge relief."

Babu and Tensing were brought to the centre as part of a British and European breeding programme.

He made an unsuccessful bid for freedom earlier last week but was found in a nearby garden -- forcing nature park keepers to tighten up security on his cage.

Red pandas are an endangered species and said to be normally placid, but very curious.

FLORA AND FAUNA

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