A Daisy has bloomed in Denver — one with paws.
The Denver Zoo is the new residence of the flowery-named red panda, a 5-year-old who formerly made the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Mich., her home.
She is here to be fruitful as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Daisy will hopefully bear cubs, the Denver Zoo said Thursday.
The Mile High City has proved to be the Paris of red-panda love before. He-Ping and his lady, Sophia, had twins in 2008 and quadruplets, a rare birth, in 2009, at the Denver Zoo.
Daisy arrived during the holidays but was allowed to grow accustomed to her new surroundings behind the scenes. She can now been seen by zoo visitors in an outdoor habitat. Because He-Ping died of old age last year at 13, Daisy is awaiting a mate.
Native to the Himalayas, red pandas are relatives of better- known giant pandas, as well as being kin to the raccoon. Adult red pandas are 20 to 25 inches long, with 11- to 19-inch tails.
The Denver Post
