Red pandas Jackie and Shan

Animal news | 25 March 2026

We are delighted to welcome red pandas to our zoo again. On 18 and 21 March 2026, a male and a female animal arrived in Dresden. The arrival of the new pair also gives us high hopes for future offspring.

The female panda, Jackie, was born on 9 June 2021 at the Opel Zoo in Kronberg and moved to the Walter Zoo in Gossau (Switzerland) in 2022 together with her littermate. Until recently, she lived there in a shared enclosure with her sister. Jackie is considered curious and very sociable, but tends to be a bit skittish at first in unfamiliar situations. Since moving to Dresden, she is now living with a partner for the first time.

The male panda, Shan, was born on 4 June 2025 at Košice Zoo in Slovakia and grew up there alongside a female littermate. Shan is very active, curious and trusting.

Jackie and Shan can be distinguished by their subtle yet distinctive features. Jackie has a darker, more reddish coat, while Shan has whiter facial fur.

At the moment, they are both settling in and getting to know each other and the new enclosure. The settling-in period has gone smoothly so far. Their favourite foods at the moment are fresh bamboo leaves, apples, pears and sweet potatoes.

The two pandas were selected for pairing by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) as part of an EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP). The programme aims to protect the genetic diversity of this endangered species and to contribute to its long-term conservation.