Masala, a young red panda, is missing from the Sequoia Park Zoo and thought to be in the Sequoia Park forest. City staff and the Eureka Police Department are searching for her.

Gretchen Ziegler, zoo manager, said staff got a report late this afternoon from "someone in the community that they saw a red panda in their neighborhood." At that point staff confirmed that an animal was missing from its enclosure. 

"We have no idea how she got over the fence," said Ziegler. "It's contained red pandas since it was built. Animals can do things you can't imagine. We're going to try to figure it out."

Ziegler added that there are a number of concerns about Masala's safety.

"She's only been in the panda exhibit her whole life so she's pretty naive. We'll be searching all day and all night," she said. 

More information about what to do if you see Masala is below.

From the City of Eureka:

One of the City’s Red Pandas has escaped from the Zoo and has been seen in the Sequoia Park forest behind the Zoo. The Red Panda is NOT a danger to humans. Zoo staff is concerned for the safety of the Red Panda. City staff along with EPD are searching for the panda. If anyone sees the Red Panda, please don’t try to approach or capture. Please call 499-3668 or Eureka Police Dispatch at 441-4044.