Escaped pandas found near zoo

A German zoo says it has recovered two red pandas that escaped their enclosure by climbing bamboo stalks which were weighed down by snow. A spokeswoman for Opel Zoo, Margarete Herrmann, said the pandas escaped the zoo near Frankfurt on Thursday by climbing the bamboo stalks, which had cracked and fallen over the top of their enclosure. They were found on Friday after they crossed a main road and hid in a field. Matt and his partner, Luri, are the zoo's only red pandas. The endangered cat-sized mammals, which only grow to a length of 65cm (26 inches) at most, are native to southern Asia. They are solitary animals known for their climbing ability. Ms Herrmann said the zoo's administrators were "happy and elated" to have the pair back.