Red Panda escapes Wellington Zoo enclosure

A little red panda had a big adventure in Wellington.

Jay, Wellington Zoo's normally shy and retiring red panda, disappeared from his enclosure on Saturday and staff waited all day hoping he would come home of his own accord.

But zoo director Alison Lash said he was not found until early yesterday.

He was spotted by a resident in Newtown Flats before scuttling up a drainpipe to hide in the eaves of the flats, about 100m from the zoo.

The 7-year-old's escapades had left zoo staff scratching their heads about how he escaped from the home he shares with his mate, Reka, and female cub Kita.

After returning to the zoo from his big night out Jay was resting in the hospital wing. Parts of his enclosure will be strengthened.