UPDATE: Rusty has been captured! He was found in Adams Morgan where he was probably intending to get a jumbo slice, but instead he’s been picked up and brought back home.
Have you ever spent every minute of every day wanting to cuddle a red panda? Well, if you live in D.C. you may be in luck, because this adorable little fella has gone walkabout:
In all seriousness, though, do not cuddle him:
Please help us keep an eye out for Rusty. Remember: red pandas are wild animals, & will bite if cornered or scared.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
If you do see Rusty, don’t try to approach him. Stay where you can safely keep an eye on him & alert the Zoo (202.633.4888) immediately.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
And actually, chances are pretty good he’s not going to show up near your house:
Red pandas typically spend the warm daytime hours resting, so it’s likely Rusty is somewhere in or near the Zoo hiding in a tree.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
Red pandas are arboreal, territorial animals, so it would be unusual for Rusty to wander far from his home range, in his case his exhibit.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
But we’re enjoying thinking about a rebellious Rusty running with a raccoon gang.
Run free, little guy! And then, uh, come back, because red pandas are a vulnerable species and we’d hate for anything to happen to you.
