Rusty the young red panda didn't wander too far from home; the raccoon-sized animal was found about a mile from the Smithsonian National Zoo, officials said.
The 11-month-old panda was discovered in the capital's Adams Morgan neighborhood Monday afternoon. Zookeepers eventually cornered Rusty into a crate, the zoo said in a statement. Senior curator Brandie Smith told the Associated Press animal keepers surrounded the area where he was found and called out for Rusty before capturing him.
"We just had to approach him carefully...We are surprised by the distance he was able to cover," Smith said.
According to Reuters, local resident Ashley Foughty tweeted a picture that showed Rusty, "with a long banded tail, fox-like fur and large pointed ears, atop a white face, scurrying through the leafy neighborhood of row houses and nightspots."
Rusty had only been at the zoo for a few weeks when keepers went to feed him and his mate, Shama, on Monday morning. The panda is originally from the Lincoln Children's Zoo in Nebraska. Rusty will be one years old in July.
"Rusty has returned from his trip to Adams Morgan and is getting a checkup at our vet hospital," the Smithsonian National Zoo tweeted on Monday afternoon.
Red pandas reportedly only visit the zoo during a brief period once a year to mate. More red pandas like Rusty are found in China, Myanmar and Nepal. The animal is related to raccoons, skunks and weasels. Zoo Director Dennis Kelly told the Associated Press officials are reviewing the incident, adding that it is rare for any animal to escape the zoo.
"We will not let this happen again," Kelly said. "Before we put Rusty back, we'll go back over this exhibit with a fine tooth comb."
The red panda is classified as a vulnerable species, but will likely become endangered if they continue to loss their natural habitats.
