MEET MARCY, A NEW RED PANDA IN THE FOREST PASSAGE HABITAT. | COURTESY PITTSBURGH ZOO & AQUARIUM

A new red panda at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is ready to meet her public.

The zoo announced Thursday that Marcy, a 2-year-old female with the red panda’s signature sweet face and fluffy tail, is now greeting visitors. She was born at the Red River Zoo in Fargo, North Dakota, and moved to Pittsburgh in October.

She joins Xia, a female red panda who was born at the Red River Zoo in 2011; Xia arrived in Pittsburgh in 2012.

“Marcy is gradually getting accustomed to both her new habitat and fellow resident,” said a press release from the zoo.

Xia has been the sole red panda in the Forest Passage habitat, a favorite exhibit near the zoo’s entrance, since the passing of 9-year-old Kovu in July.

The red panda is an endangered species originating in southeast Asia. Their diet consists mostly of bamboo but also includes berries, roots, eggs and acorns.

They live an average of 8-10 years in the wild and up to 15 years in zoos. Adult red pandas typically weigh between 8 and 17 pounds. 

“The initial goal when receiving a new red panda is to acclimate the animal to the many new experiences her new home provides, from meeting and understanding her new keepers and the daily activity of the space to learning every square inch of her home; location of food, water, and bathrooms; the movement of our guests; and the new sights, sounds, smells,” said Ray Bamrick, lead keeper, in the zoo’s press release. “It is a great change to her life, and we work very hard at making these changes gradual and comforting.

“The goal is to provide comfort and opportunity for each panda, to coexist peacefully, to interact with their keepers, and have a long, exceptional quality of life. We look forward to guests getting to know her better.”