A red panda that went missing from Belfast Zoo has been found.

Authorities said the mammal decided to take a "surprise vacation" from the zoo on Sunday.

It led to police in the North issuing an appeal for help from the public as they worked to track the animal down.

However, Belfast Zoo today confirmed the red panda has now been found.

They thanked the public for their help with the search, and added that the animal is now being returned to its home.

Red pandas are nocturnal and are typically be found in woodland areas.

They are an endangered creature native to parts of China and the eastern Himalayas, with less than 10,000 believed to be left in the wild.

They are around the size of a cat, and as a species are not closely related to the giant panda.