Media Advisory: Red Pandas Debut on Asia Trail at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

WHAT: Media preview of red pandas Tusa and Asa in their newly refurbished habitat on Asia Trail

WHEN: Tuesday, May 10 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Avenue N.W. Park in the bus parking lot in the left lane perpendicular to the bushes. Entering the Zoo from the Connecticut Avenue vehicle gates, the bus parking lot is the first parking lot on the right. The red panda exhibit is near the giant panda habitat on Asia Trail.

WHO: Michael Brown-Palsgrove, curator of Asia Trail Juan Rodriguez, animal keeper Marty Dearie, animal keeper Jenny Spotten

The red panda habitat on Asia Trail will reopen to the public Tuesday, May 10. The Zoo's red pandas Tusa and Asa will explore their home on Asia Trail complete with a new "retreat." The retreat includes four indoor enclosures complete with air-conditioning for the cold-loving animals and heating.

The enclosures also provide the arboreal red pandas with space to climb. Three reach 11 feet high and the fourth reaches 9 feet. A viewing window will allow visitors to see the pandas when they choose to spend time inside the retreat. New indoor perching branches will also give Tusa and Asa ample structures to climb when they spend time inside.