Baby Red Pandas Escape Zoo Enclosure In Seattle

SEATTLE, WA - Two baby red pandas living at the Woodland Park Zoo got out of their enclosure on Wednesday night, but not on purpose. The small, furry bears were sitting on a tree branch when it broke, landing outside their enclosure.

The zoo found out about the escape on Wednesday around 8:30 p.m. when a zoo worker spotted a red panda scurrying around in a behind-the-scenes area, according to the zoo.

One of the pandas, Zeya, climbed up a tree near her enclosure. Zoo workers were able to lure her down with treats, and she was returned safely to her enclosure around midnight.

But red panda Ila climbed a much taller tree. Zoo workers had to wait until just before noon Thursday before she came down on her own - with a little help from some apple slices, her favorite treat.

Zeya and Ila are only six months old and only went on public display in November. Caretakers will monitor the two baby red pandas to make sure they weren't injured during their adventure. Ila did bite a zoo worker during the ordeal, but the injury was described as "small."

"Being in a park-like setting, Woodland Park Zoo is flush with trees and foliage. Exhibits with tall trees and long branches are routinely checked to ensure all animals are safe and unable to leave their habitats. The red panda exhibit is being rechecked as a precaution," the zoo said in a press release.

Photo courtesy Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo