Red Panda Habitat in the Main Valley
The Zoo plans to create a new habitat for red pandas in the Main Valley that will be designed for a breeding pair. As a new mammal in the Zoo’s collection, the red pandas will be an engaging and welcome addition. In the wild, red pandas live in the Eastern Himalayas of Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, and China. They are unique in that they are their own taxonomic group known as Ailuridae – they are not genetically part of either the bear or panda family. In fact, they are the original panda – named “panda” fifty years before the giant panda.
The red pandas will be located in the Main Valley near the former snowy owl habitat. The new red panda habitat will help to highlight conservation efforts to establish a “bio-bridge” connecting forested highlands between Nepal and India through reforestation efforts. This makes the red panda a flagship species that provides conservation of entire habitats when they are protected.
In conjunction with the construction of the red panda habitat, the resident snowy owl and bald eagle will be relocated to a new habitat in the Maryland Wilderness, an environment better suited for the birds.
June 2026:
After months of construction and anticipation, the red panda habitat is complete! With a ribbon cutting celebration, the habitat is now officially open, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Main Valley.
May 2026:
The red panda habitat is really coming together! As construction continues, the space is beginning to feel more complete, including progress on the guest viewing areas that will soon offer amazing views into the habitat.
March 2026:
The barn roof is now in place, and massive support poles for the future mesh have been installed around the outdoor yards. Inside the building, mechanical systems are being added while stormwater management controls have been buried underground to help reduce runoff during storms.
January 2026:
The foundations for both of the future red panda yards have officially been cast. These bases will support the habitat space as they begin to take shape, bringing us one step closer to welcoming red pandas.
December 2025:
A new building is taking shape between the future red panda yards! This space will give our amazing animal keepers the room they need for daily care and operations, while also providing separate indoor areas for the red pandas.
September 2025:
Demolition is complete and the site is taking shape! Crews are laying the foundations for the new habitat, and work is underway on the retaining wall behind the red pandas’ future home.
August 2025:
Construction is underway in Main Valley! The former snowy owl space between the historic Round Cage and Round Stand has begun its transformation into the brand-new red panda habitat.
May 2025:
We’ve officially broken ground on the future home of red pandas at the Maryland Zoo! This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Main Valley, the oldest area of the Zoo and a cornerstone of our 150-year history. As construction gets underway, we’re thrilled to bring a brand-new species to this historic space for the first time in over two decades. More information on the red panda habitat groundbreaking is available on our groundbreaking news and updates post.
January 2025:
It’s official—permits are approved for our new red panda habitat! We’re gearing up to break ground this April, and we couldn’t be more excited. Take a look at this incredible 3D rendering of what’s to come as we begin the transformation of historic Main Valley.