Woodland Park Zoo red pandas escape enclosure

SEATTLE — The Woodland Park Zoo says its two endangered red pandas are safe after escaping their enclosure.

The pair got out after a small tree branch they were on broke Wednesday night and landed just outside of their exhibit.

Zeya climbed a tree nearby and was quickly lured down with food around midnight.

Keepers say her sister, Ila, climbed a different tree and stayed there overnight.

Caretakers were able to get her down just before noon Thursday.

The zoo says the safety of the red pandas was the sole concern.

“It doesn't appear that they've been injured. Their keepers have been monitoring them and you can see they're back on exhibit now and they're playful and fine and their behavior is normal,” said Woodland Park Zoo director of marketing and public relations, Farrah Paul.

One zookeeper did get a small bite while trying to get control of one of the animals.

The exhibit is being rechecked as a precaution to prevent future escapes.

Cox Media Group