The waiting period for red pandas is very long and can be as long as 7 years. In Herberstein, Reinhard Pichler, the zoological director and veterinarian, succeeded in convincing the breeding coordinator of the perfect and species-appropriate living conditions at Herberstein.

“The animals are assigned by the coordinator, who keeps precise records on each animal. Our female panda comes from a Polish zoo, and the male from a French one. Nothing is left to chance when selecting mates; it’s done according to strict criteria,” confirms Reinhard Pichler.

The red panda is often referred to as the “cat bear.” This adorable cat bear—about the size of a fox, with a raccoon-like appearance but a slimmer build—is one of the cutest mammals of all and ranks among the most popular zoo animals (according to a 2012 visitor survey at Schönbrunn Zoo). A pair of pandas now also lives at Tierwelt Herberstein in eastern Styria.

Tierwelt director Doris Wolkner-Steinberger is delighted not only by the new attraction but also by the fact that the new enclosure was financed and built using the facility’s own funds. “I’d like to thank our dedicated team, which built a new home for our bears in record time. After all, there were only six weeks between the allocation and the arrival of the animals.”

Now the team in Herberstein hopes that the pandas will take a liking to each other. Then we might see some cubs as early as next summer! And that would be the next big sensation!