Romance in the air for new red panda Qi, 7, who arrived at Lincoln Park Zoo to mate

Days before the start of the Lunar New Year, Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed its newest resident: Qi, a seven-year-old red panda.

Qi, (pronounced CHEE) who is male, arrived from New York’s Prospect Park Zoo nearly a month ago, and has been in quarantine at Lincoln Park Zoo since. On Friday, Qi completed his quarantine period and was placed in his permanent habitat at the zoo.

Since his arrival, Qi has made himself right at home, Cassy Kutilek, curator of large mammals and carnivores at Lincoln Park Zoo, said.

“Everybody loves a red panda, right?” Kutilek said.

Qi was brought to Lincoln Park Zoo because of a breeding recommendation, Kutilek said. Qi will be a new mate for Nisha, who is 8, a female red panda who has been at the zoo for several years. Kutilek said his arrival is perfectly timed, as red pandas typically breed between January and March.

On Tuesday, the pair met for the first time, and Kutilek said they seem to be compatible based on their genetics and behaviors. Qi, who is more assertive in nature, meshes well with Nisha’s personality, she said.

“So far, it’s been a love connection,” Kutilek said.

Since Friday, Kutilek said she has seen an influx of visitors at the zoo due to unseasonably warm temperatures. On Tuesday, she said she saw a young boy dressed up like a red panda to celebrate Qi’s arrival.

“These guys tend to be nocturnal, so if you come in the middle of the day, it can be a little bit difficult to see them,” she said. “But, honestly, these guys have been really interested in staying outside and utilizing all of their perching.”

The red pandas, native to high mountain forests in East Asia and the Himalayas, are an endangered species, with only 87 currently living across North America, Kutilek said.

The zoo was recommended to breed the two because of a species survival plan.

“We’re really hopeful that these behaviors that we’re seeing, the positive interactions that we’re seeing between the two pandas will eventually lead us to having cubs later this year,” Kutilek said.

“But if not, then we will continue to house them together and watch their interactions and see what the next breeding season holds for us.”