The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. has a missing animal case on its hands.
The zoo is looking for help in locating an adorable red panda that went missing Sunday evening:
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
He could be hiding somewhere, but zoo staff are also worried that someone might have taken Rusty:
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
We will keep Twitter and Facebook updated with any new information.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 24, 2013
UPDATE: Rusty has apparently been spotted wandering around Adams Morgan, the same D.C. neighborhood where the National Zoo is located. Twitter user @AshleyFoughty tweeted this photo:
Red panda in our neighborhood! 20th NW and Biltmore. Please come save him! @nationalzoo1pic.twitter.com/llQF7P9QH5
— Ashley Foughty (@AshleyFoughty) June 24, 2013
She told the Washington City paper that she called the zoo to report the sighting. The National Zoo just tweeted that the panda has been recovered and is headed back to the zoo.