Featured Image Credit: Woodland Park Zoo
The third neonatal exam was performed on the zoo’s twin red panda cubs by the Woodland Park Zoo’s veterinary team. The five-week-old female cubs are just shy of two pounds and have begun opening their eyes. At birth, each cub weighed about five ounces. The parents of the cubs are a two-year-old mom, Hazel, and thirteen-year-old dad, Yukiko.
The first time mother, Hazel, continues to provide care and attention in an indoor, climate-controlled den where she can nurse and bond with her cubs in a comfortable environment. The dad does not yet have contact with his new family, but introduction may be planned in the near future.
Currently, Hazel and the cubs are off view to guests, but they are planned to be put in the public exhibit during October. And their will a public naming of the cubs later on this summer.
Although they more closely resemble a raccoon, Red pandas share the name of giant pandas. Recent studies suggest they are closely related to skunks, weasels, and raccoons. An endangered species, fewer than 10,000 red pandas remain in their native habitat of bamboo forests in China, the Himalayas, and Myanmar, and share part of their range with giant pandas. Due to deforestation, increased agriculture and cattle grazing, and continuing pressure from growing local populations, their numbers are declining
Woodland Park Zoo supports the Red Panda Network, whose multi-prong approach aims to conserve this flagship species in Nepal. Help support the project by adopting a red panda through the zoo’s ZooParent Adoption Program.
Summer zoo hours through September 30 are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.