River Wonders welcomes new red panda from Taipei Zoo, debuts at new exhibit this National Day weekend

Azmi Amzah, Curator, Animal Care (Operations), Mandai Wildlife Group, said, “Yaffa is here to be an ambassador for his species, giving our guests a chance to get to know red pandas up close and learn about the pressures they face in the wild. When he first arrived, he was quite wary of us. We let him set the pace, introducing him to the keepers and routines bit by bit, with positive reinforcement training to help build trust along the way. Yaffa has since warmed up to us and is much more responsive with the team now. He's got a lot of personality once you get to know him, and we can't wait for guests to see that for themselves.”

Yaffa arrived safely in Singapore in the early hours of 11 June 2026. What followed was a month-long quarantine, during which the team carried out a comprehensive health assessment, including weight checks, a physical examination, ultrasound, X-ray and blood tests, all of which indicated that he was in good health. In the weeks that followed, Yaffa continued settling in under the care of his keeper team, ahead of his public debut this August. At 11 years old, Yaffa is considered a senior red panda. His care programme includes regular health and mobility monitoring to support his wellbeing and comfort.

His care team and exhibit designers have also incorporated features that support his comfort and natural behaviours. The habitat includes a mix of natural and artificial logs, tree trunks and elevated platforms suited to red pandas' tree-dwelling lifestyle. Perches are installed at accessible heights with gentle gradients, allowing him to move around the exhibit comfortably. The space is fully enclosed and climate-controlled, maintained below 25°C year-round to reflect the cool, high-altitude forest conditions red pandas experience in the wild.

The exhibit is divided into two connected areas, linked by an overhanging log crossing that allows Yaffa to move freely between them. Guests can observe him from the indoor viewing area without a glass barrier. Since settling in, Yaffa has been gradually exploring his new surroundings, investigating the climbing structures and discovering his favourite spots to rest. The red panda exhibit is being developed in two phases, with each phase designed to house one red panda. A second, separate exhibit is currently being constructed.

Native to Asia, red pandas are listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, with fewer than 10,000 estimated to remain in the wild, and numbers continue to decline due to habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal pet trade. Yaffa's arrival supports ex situ conservation of the species and strengthens genetic diversity among managed populations under human care in the region.

Local residents enjoy exclusive savings and ticket bundles with WildPass, a complimentary digital membership. From now until 31 August 2026, get up to 30 per cent off the 2-Attraction Pass, with prices starting from S$44 for children and S$59 for adults. Senior citizens aged 60 and above can access Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise, Rainforest Wild Adventure or Exploria at S$25 per attraction. For unlimited annual visits, guests can also purchase the Friends of Mandai membership with prices starting from S$265.