She went missing on Saturday morning and is believed to be close to Belfast Castle.

This time last year, another panda escaped from the zoo - he is still missing.

Assistant curator at Belfast Zoo, Andrew Hope, said although they were confident the latest escapee could survive in the wild, they were very keen to get her back.

The red panda is seven-years-old and described as shy and about the size of a badger.

Mr Hope said: "She looks like a small fox and has a round pointy face.

"She has two black tear marks on either side of her nose.

"She has a lightly coloured tail which has rings around it, and black legs."