Woodland Park Zoo’s red panda moves to new Forest Trailhead exhibit

SEATTLE — Woodland Park Zoo’s 11-year-old red panda has a new home. Don’t worry! Carson is staying in the zoo – he’s moved to a new exhibit: the Forest Trailhead.

Trailhead. The 12,000-square-foot building and 1-acre grounds are dedicated to the global movement for forest conservation. They’ll open to the public on May 1.

Canopy Path Visitors will be able to wander through the treetops where tree kangaroos and red pandas will make their home. It will be a two-story elevated pathway. (LMN Architects via Woodland Park Zoo)

Trailhead Pavilion Visitors will be able to meet the wonders of wildlife at all layers of the forest in the Habitat Gallery featuring boisterous keas, tree-dwelling reptiles, colorful amphibians, and fascinating invertebrates. (LMN Architects via Woodland Park Zoo)

Community Power The new exhibit will connect visitors to global communities in mountain forests much like the Pacific Northwest who are leading solutions to protect, restore and sustain forests for animals and people. (LMN Architects via Woodland Park Zoo)

Conservation Action Visitors will be able to discover how endangered wildlife is linked to our everyday consumer choices and practice forest-friendly actions at the zoo, from sipping shade-grown coffee to upcycling green materials. (LMN Architects via Woodland Park Zoo)

According to Woodland Park Zoo animal keeper Megan Blandford, Carson is adjusting well in Forest Trailhead’s new Glenn H. Kawasaki Foundation Habitat.

“After getting acquainted with the off-view den, Carson ventured into the outside habitat, smelling every perch and scent-marking everything within sight,” said Blandford. “His favorite spot has been lying in the tunnel between the den and habitat with his head sticking out, much like a dog sticking his head out a dog door, getting the lay of the land. Although at times he’s a bit hesitant about his new environment, he’s doing well. As always, his appetite has been great, a strong indicator he’s comfortable and content!”

Introducing an animal to a new environment takes time. Whether they’re being introduced to a brand new or an existing habitat, it is a methodical process that the zoo says must be managed carefully and thoughtfully.

“We take introductions at a slow pace as the animal acclimates to their new home,” Dr. Luis Neves, Senior Director of Animal Care at Woodland Park Zoo said. “The animal’s individual personality, coupled with the species’ inherent natural behaviors such as climbing, swimming, jumping or brachiating, are taken into consideration. We continue to closely monitor Carson and tree kangaroo Rocket as the animals continue to settle into their novel surroundings.”

Over the coming weeks, more animals will be introduced to Forest Trailhead habitats, leading up to the grand opening. In addition to a red panda, the exhibit will be home to tree kangaroos, kea—alpine parrots native to New Zealand—and a variety of reptiles, amphibians and fish species.