A RED panda has made his adorable debut at Chester Zoo.

One-year-old Koda arrived from a zoo in Cornwall after being chosen as the perfect companion for the zoo's resident female Nima.

After being found to be genetically compatible, it is hoped the pair will help boost numbers of the endangered species.

The pair have been introduced slowly by the zoo's keepers.

Curator of Mammals at Chester Zoo Tim Rowlands said: “Our new arrival, Koda, spent the first few days exploring his new home, climbing trees and chewing his way through lots of bamboo.

"He’s settled in really well.

"Although slightly shy at the beginning, he soon built up enough confidence to introduce himself to our resident female, Nima – which is a really encouraging sign.

“His genetics are absolutely vital to the future conservation breeding of red pandas, as habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade and poaching pushes their numbers to a new low in the wild.

“Hopefully, Koda and Nima go on to have a family of their own together, helping to boost those numbers just that little bit more.”

It is believed that the number of red pandas left in the wild is estimated to be less than 10,000 – a 40% decline over the past 50 years.

Now conservationists at the zoo are calling on visitors to help fight the illegal wildlife trade that is driving the species to extinction.