Auction offers play date with Saskatoon's red panda

Phoenix the red panda may be lonely for a life partner, but the three-year-old willget some company this summer.

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo is auctioning off a red pandaVIP experiencewhere bidders have the chance to win a two or three hour date with Phoenix this summer.

Up to four people, likely a family,will be able to sit in on Phoenix's training session and potentially even feed him, according to John Moran, the manager of the Forestry Farm and Zoo.

The auction is to help raise money for the Red Panda Network, an organization that helps to save habitat around the world.

"It's one way that we're able to give back to a conservation initiative on the red pandas on the ground in China," Moran said.

"To me it's a great way for us to participate and a great way for one of our visitors to get up and personal, up close to Phoenix."

The auction closes Monday at midnight and Red Panda Network will contact the winning bidder shortly after.