Mae Sot:Bangkok The red panda, recently confiscated by authorities, is in good health and has been relocated to Khao Kheow Open Zoo. This transfer aims to ensure the animal receives appropriate habitat care, health monitoring, and disease prevention measures.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, received a report from Mr. Kantaphan Phisalsukskul, Inspector General of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, regarding the handover of a female red panda to Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The red panda, approximately 5 years old, was received from the Wildlife Conservation Division of the Protected Area Management Office 14 in Tak Province. A team of veterinarians and animal care specialists accompanied the handover to ensure the animal's safety and minimize stress.

Mr. Suchart emphasized that the red panda will undergo further health checks and a quarantine period of at least 30 days, supervised closely by veterinarians. A temperature-controlled facility will be prepared for the animal to rest and adapt safely to its new environment, prioritizing its health and welfare.

The red panda was seized by Mae Sot Police Station on October 24, 2026, after being discovered hidden inside a pickup truck on Seri Thai Road in Mae Sot District, Tak Province. Following the seizure, two suspects were charged, and the animal was initially cared for at the Mae Sot Wildlife Checkpoint. A preliminary health check identified it as a 5-year-old female weighing 5 kilograms. A microchip was implanted for identification, and its condition will continue to be monitored until relocation.

The red panda, a significant species for conservation, is listed in Appendix I of the CITES Convention, which regulates the international trade of endangered species. Khao Kheow Open Zoo is dedicated to providing scientific care and maintaining high standards of animal welfare to ensure the red panda receives the best possible treatment.