Get ready for a major dose of cuteness, Gold Coast parents! Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has just welcomed a very special, very fluffy new resident, and he is already stealing hearts.
Meet Shardul, a handsome 10-year-old male Red Panda who has officially touched down on the Gold Coast after a big move from Halls Gap Zoo in Victoria.
While moving to a new city can be daunting for anyone, keepers say Shardul handled his flight like an absolute superstar. In fact, rare behind-the-scenes footage shows that the moment he arrived at his new home, he didn’t hesitate for a single second!
“He’s a very bold, very confident Red Panda and he honestly did better than expected,” says Currumbin Wildlife Keeper, Alice Greenup. “Pretty much as soon as I opened the door he had his head out ready to go. I used a couple of grapes just to get him moving a bit, but then he got straight into exploring.”
Shardul, the new red panda at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast. Credit: Supplied.
Making himself at home at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Shardul is already settling in beautifully, eating well, and exploring his lush new surroundings. Keepers have even spotted him doing plenty of “scent marking”—which is the ultimate Red Panda sign that he feels safe, comfortable, and ready to claim his new kingdom.
With their striking rust-coloured coats, big ringed tails, and fluffy paws designed for icy mountain weather, Red Pandas are always a massive hit with the kids.
Fun fact to share with the little ones: Red Pandas have a unique ‘false thumb’ (which is actually an extended wrist bone) that helps them grip bamboo with amazing precision!
Is romance in the air?
While Shardul is currently enjoying some solo time getting used to his environment, he won’t be lonely for long. The Sanctuary is planning to gradually introduce him to Zeya, Currumbin’s resident four-year-old female Red Panda.
With fewer than 10,000 Red Pandas left in the wild due to habitat loss and climate change, Shardul and Zeya are incredibly important ambassadors for their endangered species. If Shardul manages to win Zeya over, the Sanctuary hopes there might be some very exciting, extra-tiny news to share in the future!
Plan your family day out
Want to welcome Shardul to the neighbourhood? Pack up the kids and head over to the Lost Valley precinct at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s the perfect weekend activity to get the kids outdoors, learning about wildlife conservation and spotting the boldest new bachelor on the Gold Coast.
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