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An endangered red panda is settling in to his new home at the Bristol Zoo Project.

Staff said three-year-old male, Nilo, had been enjoying exploring his new habitat after arriving from Whipsnade Zoo.

A female will join him later this year as part of European breeding programme to help protect the endangered species.

Will Walker, curator of mammals at Bristol Zoo Project, said the team was "thrilled" to welcome the new arrival.

Mr Walker said that red pandas are highly-threatened, adding: "their numbers in the wild have decreased by about 50% in the last 20 years."

Native to the eastern Himalayas and south-western China, the wild population is thought to be as low as 2,500, with the species suffering because of issues including by habitat loss and poaching.

Director of people and engagement, Hannah Windross, said the zoo wanted to do everything it could to protect red pandas.

"We have a plan to ensure that, at the zoo, 80% of the species are endangered and connected to our conservation work. That's more than any other zoo in the UK," she said.

"We select species very carefully where we think we can have a conservation impact, where we can actually help that species and conserve it and protect it."

The zoo has created a new habitat for Nilo, which includes a large cedar tree to provide plenty of opportunities for climbing.

Nilo was born at Whipsnade in 2020 to mother Tashi and father Blue, also as part of a European conservation breeding programme.

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