A slice of pear between my index finger and thumb, I gingerly held out my hand and held my breath. Little claws hooked into my stockings and an enormous grin spread across my face as a red panda took a bite. Reka is one of Wellington Zoo's five red pandas. She's rather on the tubby side, so it wasn't difficult to lure her in for pats with fruity treats. While all 'Close Encounter' participants are allowed into the enclosure, getting within touching distance is entirely up to how obliging/hungry the animals are feeling. http://www.3news.co.nz/A-close-encounter-with-red-pandas-at-Wellington-Zoo/tabid/1160/articleID/244906/Default.aspx