[Izu Shaboten Resort 50th Anniversary] Red Panda 'Lime' to Join Izu Shaboten Zoo on May 27, 2026!
Izu Shaboten Resort announced that 'Lime,' a male red panda, will join Izu Shaboten Zoo on May 27, 2026. The move aims to facilitate conservation breeding through pairing with the resident female, 'Meishan.'
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- 📰 Published: May 26, 2026 at 01:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 25, 2026 at 16:31
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## Red Panda 'Lime' Joins Izu Shaboten Zoo
'Lime,' scheduled to arrive on May 27, 2026, will spend about a week in the backyard for health checks and environmental acclimation. He is expected to make his debut at the 'Red Panda House' in early June.
'Lime' (Image courtesy: Kiryuogaoka Zoo)
● Male, 11 years old
● Born on July 13, 2014, at Kujukushima Zoological and Botanical Garden
● Joins Izu Shaboten Zoo on May 27, 2026
● Known for a calm and cautious personality. Hopes are high for a successful pairing with 'Meishan,' who shares a similar disposition.
This arrival aims to form a breeding pair with 'Meishan,' a female who joined the Red Panda House in January 2020. Zoos housing these rare animals cooperate for conservation breeding. The staff will carefully observe Lime and Meishan, facilitating their 'matchmaking' process until they are accustomed to living together in the exhibit.
'Meishan'
● Female, 8 years old
● Born on June 29, 2017, at Sabae City Nishiyama Zoo
● Joined Izu Shaboten Zoo on January 17, 2020
● A shy and cautious individual. Her name, meaning 'Plum Fragrance,' comes from being born during the plum blossom season.
The Red Panda House opened in March 2019 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Izu Shaboten Zoo. In addition to Meishan, the pair of male 'Yomogi' and female 'Konatsu' have lived there since the opening. With the addition of Lime, the zoo will house a total of four red pandas.
'Yomogi'
● Male, 10 years old
● Born on June 27, 2015, at Tokushima Zoo
● Joined Izu Shaboten Zoo on March 4, 2019
● Sharp-featured with dark brown fur. Has an uninhibited personality.
'Konatsu'
● Female, 9 years old
● Born on July 8, 2016, at Sendai Yagiyama Zoological Park
● Joined Izu Shaboten Zoo on February 12, 2019
● Pretty features with pale fur. Has a laid-back and hearty appetite.
The zoo is committed to supporting Lime so he can adapt to his new home and live harmoniously with Meishan, much like the pair Yomogi and Konatsu.
### Red Panda Ecology
[Scientific Name] Ailurus fulgens styani
[English Name] Red panda
[Classification] Carnivora, Ailuridae
[Distribution] Southwestern China
[Morphology] Head-body length 56–63cm, tail length 37–50cm, weight 4–7kg
[Ecology] Inhabits mountain forests in China, feeding mainly on bamboo leaves. Lifespan in captivity is 10–12 years; sexual maturity occurs around 18 months.
Recent population decline due to poaching and habitat loss has led to their classification as 'EN (Endangered)' on the IUCN Red List.
'Lime,' scheduled to arrive on May 27, 2026, will spend about a week in the backyard for health checks and environmental acclimation. He is expected to make his debut at the 'Red Panda House' in early June.
'Lime' (Image courtesy: Kiryuogaoka Zoo)
● Male, 11 years old
● Born on July 13, 2014, at Kujukushima Zoological and Botanical Garden
● Joins Izu Shaboten Zoo on May 27, 2026
● Known for a calm and cautious personality. Hopes are high for a successful pairing with 'Meishan,' who shares a similar disposition.
This arrival aims to form a breeding pair with 'Meishan,' a female who joined the Red Panda House in January 2020. Zoos housing these rare animals cooperate for conservation breeding. The staff will carefully observe Lime and Meishan, facilitating their 'matchmaking' process until they are accustomed to living together in the exhibit.
'Meishan'
● Female, 8 years old
● Born on June 29, 2017, at Sabae City Nishiyama Zoo
● Joined Izu Shaboten Zoo on January 17, 2020
● A shy and cautious individual. Her name, meaning 'Plum Fragrance,' comes from being born during the plum blossom season.
The Red Panda House opened in March 2019 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Izu Shaboten Zoo. In addition to Meishan, the pair of male 'Yomogi' and female 'Konatsu' have lived there since the opening. With the addition of Lime, the zoo will house a total of four red pandas.
'Yomogi'
● Male, 10 years old
● Born on June 27, 2015, at Tokushima Zoo
● Joined Izu Shaboten Zoo on March 4, 2019
● Sharp-featured with dark brown fur. Has an uninhibited personality.
'Konatsu'
● Female, 9 years old
● Born on July 8, 2016, at Sendai Yagiyama Zoological Park
● Joined Izu Shaboten Zoo on February 12, 2019
● Pretty features with pale fur. Has a laid-back and hearty appetite.
The zoo is committed to supporting Lime so he can adapt to his new home and live harmoniously with Meishan, much like the pair Yomogi and Konatsu.
### Red Panda Ecology
[Scientific Name] Ailurus fulgens styani
[English Name] Red panda
[Classification] Carnivora, Ailuridae
[Distribution] Southwestern China
[Morphology] Head-body length 56–63cm, tail length 37–50cm, weight 4–7kg
[Ecology] Inhabits mountain forests in China, feeding mainly on bamboo leaves. Lifespan in captivity is 10–12 years; sexual maturity occurs around 18 months.
Recent population decline due to poaching and habitat loss has led to their classification as 'EN (Endangered)' on the IUCN Red List.
FAQ
新しく仲間入りするレッサーパンダの名前は何ですか？
オスで名前は「ライム」です。
ライムはいつ伊豆シャボテン動物公園に仲間入りしますか？
2026年5月27日（水）に来園します。
ライムとペア形成を目指すレッサーパンダは誰ですか？
2020年1月から同園に暮らすメスの「めいしゃん」です。
伊豆シャボテン動物公園のレッサーパンダは合計何頭になりますか？
ライムの加入により、既存の「めいしゃん」「ヨモギ」「コナツ」と合わせて計4頭となります。
レッサーパンダ館がオープンしたのはいつですか？
伊豆シャボテン動物公園の開園60周年を記念して、2019年3月にオープンしました。