Red River Zoo breaks ground for a new facility for red pandas

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — It was a bittersweet moment for the Red River Zoo and its executive director, Sally Mulvena, as they broke ground for a new facility for the zoo’s iconic ambassadors, the red pandas.

“When you reach milestones like this, I’m just touched by the caring of our community and of our staff. It’s a milestone,” said Sally Mulvena, Red River Zoo Executive Director.

“We love it, I mean, they get to see animals that they wouldn’t have a chance to anywhere else. And it’s just a fun day out with the family.”

The new facility, named the ‘Red Panda Passage,’ will be located near the carousel in the heart of the zoo. The passage will feature expanded outdoor habitats, improved guest viewing, and indoor spaces to provide all nine red pandas with care year-round.

“They’re able to take care of pandas in one space instead of shoveling out up here, and then running all the way 10 acres to the back to do another job. So, I feel like everybody wins off of this, and most importantly, our community and our visitors win,” said Mulvena.

The efforts for the new facility come from the support of Chord Energy, the $250,000 grant from the North Dakota Destination Development Grant program, and the community.

“When the new panda exhibit is open, it really does tip the hat to the hard work that our staff and our community has done with these precious and endangered animals. It’s going to showcase and make them the centerpiece of the zoo that they should be. I’m going to be very proud to see that and when guests first walk through and smile with delight,” said Mulvena.

For more information about the zoo and its pandas, visit here.