Safari park announces death of red panda

Early tests indicate Lionel died of natural causes, Longleat says

A safari park says it is "deeply saddened" to announce the death of an eight-year-old red panda.

Lionel was one of four red pandas at Longleat safari park and early tests indicated he died on Sunday of natural causes, a spokesperson for the Wiltshire park said.

They added Lionel played "a key part" in its European-wide conservation breeding programme by fathering four cubs during his time at the estate.

"We know he was much-loved by visitors and keepers alike; our keepers were devoted to him and all the red pandas who live with us," the spokesperson added.

Lionel (right) fathered four cubs with Emma the red panda

The diet of red pandas consists mostly of bamboo and each animal can eat 20,000 bamboo leaves a day in the wild.

Due to the plant being low in energy, Lionel could often be spotted snoozing in the trees of his enclosure at Longleat, the safari park said.

Keepers at the site will be sharing memories of Lionel to mark International Red Panda Day on Saturday.