June 2026
Rare footage has captured the moment an endangered Red Panda took his very first steps into his new home at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast - and he didn't hesitate for a second.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is sharing never-before-seen vision of Shardul, a 10-year-old male Red Panda, arriving from Halls Gap Zoo in Victoria. From airport pickup through to his health check at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and his first exploratory steps into his new habitat just days ago.
Keepers report he is settling in well, eating well and taking in his new surroundings.
With fewer than 10,000 Red Pandas estimated to remain in the wild, the species is listed as endangered, under pressure from habitat loss, climate change and poaching.
Shardul will join four-year-old female Zeya, already a favourite with Sanctuary visitors, with keepers set to introduce the pair gradually over time.
Wildlife Keeper at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Alice Greenup was there for the moment Shardul arrived.
"He came over on the plane from Halls Gap Zoo. It was a little bit of a trip for him but he handled it really well and he's nice and settled now."
"He's a very bold, very confident Red Panda and he honestly did better than expected. Pretty much as soon as I opened the door he had his head out ready to go. I used a couple of grapes just to get him moving a bit, but then he got straight into exploring - very confident. Lots of scent marking, which is a really great sign that he's nice and comfortable."
As an ambassador for his species, Shardul's presence at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors a rare glimpse of an animal few Australians ever get to see.
Native to the cool mountain forests of the Himalayas, Red Pandas are renowned for their rust-coloured coats and ringed tails. Less well known is their specialised 'false thumb,' an extended wrist bone that allows them to grip bamboo with surprising precision, and paws covered in thick fur that act as natural insulation in icy mountain conditions.
Visitors can meet Shardul at the Lost Valley precinct at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - and if he wins over resident female Zeya, the Sanctuary may one day have some very exciting news to share.
ENDS
B-roll Attached
Interview with Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Keeper - Alice Greenup
Shardul exploring the new habitat at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Shardul's Airport Pickup
Shardul's Health check at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital
For media enquiries, contact:
Yasmin Bonnell | 0448 936 478 | ybonnell@cws.org.au
