By Shaun Courtney
A male red panda named Rusty is missing from his home at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, according to a tweet from the National Zoo's official account.
Rusty was last seen at about 6 p.m. Sunday, according to official tweets.
"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," the Zoo tweeted.
Red pandas are arboreal and the zoo says it would be unusual for such an animal to wander far from it's habitat.
"Red pandas typically spend the warm daytime hours resting, so it’s likely Rusty is somewhere in or near the Zoo hiding in a tree," according to the zoo Twitter account.
Should you find Rusty hanging out in a tree near your home or business, the zoo asks that you stay at a distance where you can safely watch him and to alert the zoo immediately at 202-633-4888.
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