Meet Freyja our first new Red Panda this summer

July 2026

Families visiting Paradise Park over the summer holidays have a very special new arrival to look out for – Freyja, a young female Red Panda who has just arrived from Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark.

Born on 5 July 2025, Freyja is the first of two young Red Pandas allocated to Paradise Park through the coordinated breeding programme for this endangered species. Her future companion, a young male from France, is expected to arrive any day now and will be called Rollo.

The Park’s Curator, David Woolcock, said: “Freyja arrived a few days ago and has already spent time exploring her new enclosure and large tree. We are leaving her travel crate in place while she settles in at her own pace. She is curious, calm and already winning hearts behind the scenes – and we hope visitors will enjoy spotting her as she becomes more confident in her new home.”

Keeper Emma chose the name Freyja after the Norse goddess associated with love, beauty and magic. The name also links beautifully with Rollo, who is connected to Norse history and Normandy – a fitting nod to the pair’s origins in Denmark and France.

Red Pandas are skilful tree climbers with thick russet fur, expressive faces and long bushy tails, making them a favourite with visitors of all ages. They are endangered in the wild, with habitat loss and fragmentation among the threats they face. Paradise Park is proud to support carefully managed breeding efforts that help maintain healthy Red Panda populations and raise awareness of this remarkable species.

ABOVE: Jai-Li celebrating her 15th Birthday in June.

Visitors may also see Paradise Park’s much-loved resident Red Panda, Jai-Li, who celebrated her 15th birthday in June. Jai-Li arrived at Paradise Park in 2012 as a one-year-old and has played an important role in the Red Panda breeding programme, raising seven cubs over the years. She’s an older panda but continues to do well and remains one of the Park’s most popular animals.

Supporting Conservation Efforts

Over the past ten years, Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary has contributed £20,720 to the Red Panda Network, thanks to donations from the Red Panda Experience programme. These funds have supported the ‘Red Panda Protected Forest’, establishing the world’s first protected area dedicated to Red Pandas, and the ‘Plant A Red Panda Home’ campaign, which has resulted in the planting of 15,113 trees.

Read more about Red Pandas HERE.