RED PANDA ALE
RIG HAND CRAFT DISTILLERY
25 cents per can is donated to the VZDS when purchased!
THE INITIATIVE
Rig Hand Craft Distillery and the Valley Zoo Development Society proudly announce Rig Hand’s latest brew— Red Panda Ale! A portion of the proceeds from every bottle will be donated to the Edmonton Valley Zoo’s Red Panda Conservation initiative…
Scroll through to learn about the beer, the distillery, the Red Panda Network, and how you can help protect this adorable and endangered species.
CHEERS TO CONSERVATION!
THE BEER
A dark red ale with a chocolate malt and vanilla aroma with rustic hops that play nicely on a caramel malt flavour and stonefruit finish, Red Panda Ale is sure to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Keep Cold. Drink Fresh.
5% ALCOHOL/VOLUME | UNPASTURIZED | UNFILTERED | NO PRESERVATIVES
THE BREWERY
A grain-to-glass distillery, Rig Hand Craft Distillery is the first craft distillery in Nisku & the greater Edmonton area. A family business, Rig Hand distills vodka, rum, whisky, gin, moonshine, and coffee cream liquor as well as hosts High Country Brewery, the creator of the Red Panda Ale. Locally sourced, produced, and distributed, Rig Hand aims to be a craft industry leader and foster partnerships with local businesses while delivering the highest quality spirits possible. A replica of the Leduc #1 drilling rig, their distinctive trademarked rig bottle pays tribute to Alberta’s rich history in agriculture and resource development. Rig Hand Craft Distillery offers tours and tastings daily during regular business hours, and evening/weekend tours are available by appointment. They have recently expanded and now have a full restaurant and events center at their new location.
RIG HAND CRAFT DISTILLERY, ALBERTA IN A BOTTLE.
ADOPT A RED PANDA
$75
ADOPT A RED PANDA
THE RED PANDA NETWORK
WHAT IS THE RED PANDA NETWORK?
The Red Panda Network was founded in 1997, and is committed to the conservation of wild red pandas and their habitat through the education and empowerment of local communities.
Red Pandas are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (ICUN) because their population is estimated at fewer than 10,000 mature individuals.
HOW IS THE EDMONTON VALLEY ZOO INVOLVED?
Since 2004 when the first Red Pandas came to the Edmonton Valley Zoo from the Tokuyama Zoo in Japan, they have captivated guests’ hearts and helped us understand more about this remarkable species.
Three Red Pandas—Kalden, Kiki, and Tango— currently call the Edmonton Valley Zoo home. Kalden was born on June 7, 2012, at the New Zoo in Wisconsin. He came to the Edmonton Valley Zoo in July of 2013. Kiki was born on June 7, 2019. Tango was born at the Edmonton Valley Zoo on July 30, 2015. He was sent to Winnipeg as part of a breeding loan in November 2016 and returned home in December 2016.
IN THE COLLECTION…The Edmonton Valley Zoo has educated thousands of zoo guests about the plight of Red Pandas by allowing guests an up-close view through encounters and interpretive talks.
EDUCATION…Red Pandas are excellent educational animals and educational features for the Species Survival Program, Red Panda Network, and Alberta Science Curriculum Links. They are also featured in the following school programs: Grade 1 – Needs of Plants and Animals, Grade 3 – Animal Life Cycles, Grade 6 – Trees and Forests, Grade 7 – Interactions and Ecosystems, Grade 7 – Plants for Food and Fibre, and Grade 9 – Biological Diversity.
BREEDING… In addition to being a popular attraction and great educational animals, the Edmonton Valley Zoo acquired Red Pandas to participate in the Species Survival Program. Initially, the Red Pandas at the Edmonton Valley Zoo were unrelated to other Red Pandas in North America, making their genes extremely valuable within the population, and making them an essential part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP.)
The breeding season for Red Pandas is from January through March. Red Pandas have delayed implantation, making the reproduction period between 90-120 days.
Between 2004 and 2007, two young were born, but the female, Lala, over-groomed and eventually killed the young.
When initial breeding efforts were not successful, the team began increasing their knowledge of Red Panda husbandry and breeding by contacting several other zoos and the Species Survival Plan coordinator for advice. Thanks to the rigorous research the team undertook, the Edmonton Valley Zoo was successful.
The first successful births at the Edmonton Valley Zoo were in 2007. The young were hand-raised by zoo staff. Since this first successful birth, the zoo’s care team has successfully raised many offspring!
These offspring now live in various zoos across North America, adding their valuable genetics to the population. Others, like Tango, are loaned to other zoos to participate in their breeding programs.
KNOWLEDGE… The knowledge the Edmonton Valley Zoo experts have gained allowed them to become recognized in the Species Survival Plan community as experts in Red Panda husbandry. The Edmonton Valley Zoo has taken up the cause to protect and conserve these animals within their native habitat to expand on that knowledge and expertise.
ZOOBUILDERS
Explore the world of the Red Panda at Edmonton Valley Zoo’s Animal Encounter. Immerse yourself in the natural behaviors of these adorable creatures as they climb, play, and interact with their specially designed enrichment activities. Join in with your zookeeper’s work, and enrich the lives of the red pandas while learning about the conservation efforts in place to protect this endangered species.
Our Zoobuilder Program is an exciting way to support the revitalization of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, volunteer at the zoo, and to get up-close-and-personal with some of your favourite animals.
When you make a donation through the ZooBuilder Program, you are directly supporting the revitalization of the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Your generosity not only helps improve the homes of the wonderful animals at the zoo but it ensures that future generations of families will be able to enjoy the zoo as well.
ZOOBUILDER 2 PERSON ENCOUNTER
$250
RED PANDA FACTS
- Red Pandas are (Fluffy) Living Fossils! A living testament to ancient biodiversity, the Red Panda’s existence can be traced back 3 to 4 million years. They belong to the Ailuridae family, believed to have diverged from a common ancestor with raccoons and mustelids 40 million years ago. While they share features with bears and raccoons, they are unrelated to any other living species.
- Red Pandas Love Bamboo! 85% to 95% of their diet consists of bamboo leaves, stems, and shoots. However, they aren’t strict herbivores and supplement their diet with insects and occasionally small vertebrates like birds or rodents.
- Red Pandas are Arboreal Acrobats! Exceptional climbers, Red pandas spend most of their lives in trees. Sharp, semi-retractable claws and a unique thumb-like wrist bone make them well-adapted to tree lifestyle. Their long, bushy tails act as a counterbalance, enhancing their agility while navigating the treetops. They are known to descend from trees headfirst.
- They’re Socially Solitary! Red pandas prefer a solitary lifestyle, except during the mating season and when raising their cubs. They utilize scent markings, vocalizations, and body language to communicate. Their adorable chirping sounds express emotions, such as feeling threatened or excited. Despite their introverted tendencies, they are not known to display aggression towards humans or other animals.
- Red Pandas are Endangered! The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies Red pandas as “Endangered.” Their primary threats are habitat destruction and fragmentation due to human activities. They are often caught in traps set for other animals, adding to their vulnerability. Conservation efforts, such as establishing protected areas and community-based initiatives, are critical for the survival of these charming creatures in their native habitats.
