Zookeepers trained red pandas to become accustomed to human interaction at a zoo in Odense, Denmark.

Footage shows staff hand-feeding the animal with grapes on March 14.

Danni Larsen, public relations officer of Odense Zoo, said the regime allows caretakers to monitor the red pandas and fosters closer bonds between them.

He said: 'We train with the red pandas several times a week. This allows the zookeepers to closely monitor their health and well-being.

'By using positive reinforcement, it is even possible to train the red pandas to accept being touched by the zookeepers

'This is advantageous if the panda were to sustain a minor injury. With the panda accustomed to touch, we may be able to assess and treat wounds without the need for anesthesia.'

The zoo hopes to expand the red pandas' tolerance for minor treatments, potentially eliminating the need for tranquiliser guns.

Red pandas are small mammals characterized by their reddish fur, white face markings, and long, bushy tails. They are primarily found in temperate forests with bamboo undergrowth in the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.

Despite their name and similar appearance, they are not closely related to giant pandas but belong to their own unique family called Ailuridae.