Phoenix the Red Panda Visits the Veterinarian

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo has launched an exciting new video showcasing a general medical exam on the popular red panda, Phoenix.

“The opportunity to create this unique video highlights the longstanding partnership in animal health between the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo,” says Lynne Lacroix, Director of Recreation and Community Development.

Phoenix is a permanent “citizen” of Saskatoon who has lived in Phase II of the PotashCorp Ark exhibit since he moved from the Assiniboine Zoo in Winnipeg in 2014.  Red pandas, known for their resemblance to raccoons, have been classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching.  Slightly larger than a domestic cat, red pandas are recognizable with their reddish-brown fur and shaggy tail. 

Showcasing the educational aspects of the animal health program benefits many – from teaching skills to veterinary students for their future careers, to showing school students how in-depth an annual physical examination for a wild animal is.

“The video demonstrates the commitment of both our skilled staff and the City in ensuring a quality health program for the animals in our care,” says John Moran, Manager of the Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. “Showcasing this exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ footage brings to light the facility does more than just feed and clean the animals in our care; that our animal care and welfare initiatives are of the utmost importance in the work we do every day.”

The video is showcased on the City’s YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook pages.  It is also highlighted on saskatoon.ca/zoo and will be played in the Children’s Zoo and Discovery Centre as part of a public education initiative.