A rare red panda has been found after going missing from Belfast Zoo.

Police in the Northern Irish capital issued an appeal after the animal went missing on Sunday, with officers saying it was "believed to be currently taking in the sights of beautiful Glengormley".

The red panda has now been found and is being returned to Belfast Zoo.

While they are not aggressive, red pandas can become defensive when cornered.

Two panda cubs were born at the zoo in June last year but only started to venture outside towards the end of 2018.


Red pandas are slightly larger than a domestic cat, with thick reddish-brown fur.

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the species is facing a very high risk of extinction.

It is believed there are between 10,000 and 20,000 left in existence.