A new companion has arrived for Tashi, Marwell Zoo's male red panda.

The female red panda, named Cherry, was welcomed from Manor Wildlife Park in Wales.

Cherry, aged seven, is settling into her new home, where she will share the zoo's red panda habitat with Tashi, who arrived last year.

Carrie Arnold, carnivores team leader, said: "We’re excited to welcome Cherry to Marwell where she will share our red panda habitat with Tashi.

"Red pandas are endangered in the wild, where they have been hunted for meat, medicine, and fur, as well as being sold into the pet market.

"Whilst they may look cute, they have very sharp teeth and claws and fur over their whole bodies, including under their paws."

Cherry is seven years old, and will be a friend for Tashi (Image: Paul Webber) Red pandas are known for their unique 'false thumb', an enlargement of one of the bones in their wrist, which allows them to grab and hold onto things, mainly bamboo, and climb down trees headfirst.

Tashi will have access to two other pods until the keepers decide they are ready to be mixed in a few weeks' time.

The species is classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with populations continuing to decline.