Crossword Genius

Padre and strange forest creature (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

red panda

'forest creature' is the definition.
(animal that lives in forests)

'padre and strange' is the wordplay.
'strange' is an anagram indicator.
'padre'+'and'='padreand'
'padreand' anagrammed gives 'RED PANDA'.

(Other definitions for red panda that I've seen before include "Wild animal" , "Himalayan mammal" , "Asian animal" , "something like a raccoon" , "Small carnivore - dared nap (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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