Ponya, a red panda at Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut, is celebrating her first birthday, and the zoo is inviting the public to join the festivities with a special fundraising campaign. The fundraiser is designed to support Ponya’s care and raise awareness about the endangered species she represents.
Ponya, who recently arrived from the Detroit Zoo, has become a favorite among visitors due to her playful energy and charming personality. However, her story is about more than just her cute appearance. Red pandas are classified as endangered, with fewer than 10,000 left in the wild due to habitat loss, poaching, and the impacts of climate change. Each animal transfer, like Ponya’s, plays a crucial role in efforts to preserve the species, coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The zoo is urging the community to participate in Ponya’s birthday celebration by making donations that will go directly toward her care and enrichment. The money raised will support various aspects of her daily needs and contribute to the overall well-being of the animals at the zoo. Whether small or large, every donation helps ensure Ponya receives the attention, enrichment, and protection she needs to thrive.
Donations can be made via text or through an online link. All funds will contribute to the global effort to protect endangered species and ensure Ponya’s continued care. Visitors can also plan a trip to the zoo to see Ponya in the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat, further supporting the zoo’s ongoing conservation efforts.
