Move over, Edward Snowden. There’s a new critter giving D.C. the slip.
The National Zoo announced this morning that Rusty the red panda has gone AWOL:
We are looking for a missing red panda, a male named Rusty. He was last seen at 6 p.m. last night. pic.twitter.com/JHVB79x8XY
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
Animal care staff have been combing the trees around the Zoo since 8 a.m. He could be sick & hiding, or someone could have taken him.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
Please help us keep an eye out for Rusty. Remember: red pandas are wild animals, & will bite if cornered or scared.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
If you do see Rusty, don’t try to approach him. Stay where you can safely keep an eye on him & alert the Zoo (202.633.4888) immediately.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
Red pandas typically spend the warm daytime hours resting, so it’s likely Rusty is somewhere in or near the Zoo hiding in a tree.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
Red pandas are arboreal, territorial animals, so it would be unusual for Rusty to wander far from his home range, in his case his exhibit.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
With all the political craziness we’ve been dealing with lately, it’s nice to have a distraction — particularly of the animal-y kind. And you can bet that Twitter users are milking this opportunity to have some fun:
https://twitter.com/Matthops82/status/349197187206500353
Seriously doubt Rusty will get far. He'd need three other pandas to get away quickly in the HOV lanes.
— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) June 24, 2013
Missing National Zoo red panda seeking asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy. What does he know? pic.twitter.com/yeRLdEHsVX
— Pitchaya Sudbanthad (@pitchaya) June 24, 2013
Tell Mayor Gray that the red panda escaped to start a food truck and DC will track him down by 3 PM.
— Seth (@dcseth) June 24, 2013
https://twitter.com/TPCarney/status/349197568049299456
Red panda missing from National Zoo. Sky over DC lit up with signal in silhouette of Newt Gingrich.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) June 24, 2013
Hey, we wouldn’t be surprised:
https://twitter.com/amandacarpenter/status/349198697181102080
There's a red panda on the loose and Newt Gingrich is ON IT pic.twitter.com/H3qwI12uxS
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) June 24, 2013
Snort!
https://twitter.com/CuffyMeh/status/349196560917225472
Red panda stepped down from his position at the National Zoo to spend more time with his family, I'm told.
— Blake News (@blakehounshell) June 24, 2013
BREAKING: In a desperate bid for renewed relevance, R.E.M. heads back to the studio to record "Losing My Red Panda."
— Stephen Green (@VodkaPundit) June 24, 2013
It's so racist to say Red Panda. The BOLO should be a 'not large mammal of sorts'. #wakeupAmerica
— Rick Sheridan (@RickSheridan) June 24, 2013
Warning: If I find Rusty the red panda, I will be keeping him as a pet. Sorry @NationalZoo.
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) June 24, 2013
Not if we find him first! We might be able to track him via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/NatlZooRedPanda/status/349195680599920640
https://twitter.com/NatlZooRedPanda/status/349195886544429057
https://twitter.com/NatlZooRedPanda/status/349196175808819201
https://twitter.com/NatlZooRedPanda/status/349196700176506880
https://twitter.com/NatlZooRedPanda/status/349197820563181568
Speaking of the Bronx Zoo Cobra:
I have an alibi! RT @NationalZoo We are looking for a missing red panda named Rusty. He was last seen at 6 p.m. pic.twitter.com/UwBt8auIza
— Bronx Zoo's Cobra (@BronxZoosCobra) June 24, 2013
Heh.
All kidding aside, we do hope Rusty’s safe, wherever he is. We’ll be keeping an eye out for the little fella.
We will keep Twitter and Facebook updated with any new information.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
***
Update:
Noted animal fan Newt Gingrich weighs in on the Rusty situation:
In response to red panda charges, I have an alibi, Callista and I were feeding our pet elephants all evening ( just a joke) help find panda
— newtgingrich (@newtgingrich) June 24, 2013
Teehee!
***
Update II:
Good news! The missing panda has been found alive and well:
#BREAKING Rusty, the missing panda, has been found near the National Zoo in Adams Morgan neighborhood.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) June 24, 2013
Spotted near 20th and Biltmore near Airy View condos at 1:25. Are you missing this guy?? @NationalZoo pic.twitter.com/v7KulXpNKE
— Ashley Wagner (@AshleyWagARTS) June 24, 2013
The National Zoo is ecstatic:
Rusty the red panda has been recovered, crated & is headed safely back to the National Zoo!
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
Thank you so much to everyone who helped us look for and find him!
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
Yay!
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