Having a roommate can be tough sometimes.
The Akron Zoo says it is removing one of its red pandas from public view.
Lulu’s last days in the zoo’s habitat in the Wild Asia area will be July 10 and July 13.
Zoo spokesperson Elena Bell said Lulu is being moved to the animal hospital in anticipation of her relocation to another zoo.
“Red pandas can be solitary animals, and after a few attempts to introduce (the Akron Zoo’s) new red panda, Sundara, to Lulu, Lulu has let us know that she was enjoying her time on her own,” Bell said.
The last red panda to share the habitat was Penny, who died in January 2024 at the Akron Zoo after a brief illness.
Lulu was originally slated to move on from the Akron Zoo in 2025, but that relocation was delayed.
Sundara will be the sole occupant of the red panda habitat with Lulu’s departure.
Red pandas are native to Southeast Asia.
Sundara arrived at the Akron Zoo last month from the Detroit Zoo.
The Akron Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
For more, visit akronzoo.org.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zoo saying farewell to its red panda Lulu who prefers a ‘solitary’ life
Reporting by Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
