For four zoos in North America, it’s time for a red panda birthday party.
The endangered species — which experts believe has declined by 40% over the past two decades — is legally protected in areas like India, Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Myanmar.
It is estimated that only 2,500 to 10,000 red pandas remain in the wild — and while their name may suggest that they are a bear species, they are actually the only living members of their own taxonomic family, Ailuridae.
With threats like habitat loss, human interference, and poaching, the conservation of the red panda is more important than ever.
Fortunately, conservation and research institutions around the globe have stepped in to protect the adorable auburn-colored, fluffy mammal.
Zoos in North America, Europe, and Asia, accredited through the Red Panda Network and Association of Zoos and Aquariums breed these long-tailed cuties in hopes of rebounding their populations.
“As they decline in the wild, growing and maintaining self-sustaining populations in zoos is a high priority as a hedge against extinction and to learn more about species biology,” the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute explained.
This summer, zoos in North America have welcomed red panda cubs in a number of exciting milestones for the species. Here are a few to celebrate:
Meet Pilatus, the first red panda born at Chattanooga Zoo in 8 years
On June 11, 2024, the Chattanooga Zoo welcomed its first red panda cub in eight years: Pilatus. The male newborn is the son of resident red panda Saffron, and her mate Avi, who was the last red panda born at the facility.
Pilatus was named after the same aircraft that carried his mother to the zoo where he was born.
“Saffron has been a wonderfully dedicated and attentive mother, so we have been able to leave the cub in her care over the past month while keeping a close eye on our nest box cameras to ensure that Saffron and her cub remain healthy,” said Darde Long, president and CEO of Chattanooga Zoo, in a statement.
On July 3, the zoo’s veterinary staff briefly retrieved Pilatrus to conduct wellness checks, where he weighed in at 441 grams. Keepers say he is healthy and growing as expected. And later in July, the zoo announced Pilatus’s debut to visitors.
“Pilatus is a joy for us and the Chattanooga community,” the zoo shared on social media, “but he is also an important addition to the Red Panda Species Survival Plan, which aims to increase populations of this endangered species.”
Toronto Zoo welcomes twin red panda babies in June, another newborn in July
It’s been an eventful summer for Toronto Zoo’s red panda population. On June 13, two cubs were delivered in a nest of bamboo made by mom Sakura, where veterinarians kept an eye on things via camera.
Sakura had an unsuccessful breeding season last year, and was deemed in “retirement” from the Red Panda Species Survival Plan, but ended up having what the zoo called a “passionate goodbye” with her former mate, Arun. And thus, she became a mom to two healthy cubs.
“We are so excited to welcome these endangered red panda cubs to the Toronto Zoo family,” Dolf DeJong, the zoo’s CEO, said in a statement.
“Red pandas are an endangered species due to illegal hunting and habitat loss, so contributing to sustaining their managed populations in accredited zoos is a wonderful way to educate our guests about the conservation efforts of this extraordinary species.”
In another exciting turn of events, another cub was born to first-time mom Paprika on July 13, the third red panda birth in over 25 years — all of which happened this summer.
“Paprika and her cub will not be viewable to the public at this time as we allow them privacy as the cub continues to grow,” a press release from the Toronto Zoo shared.
Seneca Park Zoo’s newest addition is thriving, even without support from mom
The Seneca Park Zoo, located in Rochester, New York, announced that the zoo’s female red panda, Raji, gave birth to a new cub on June 27.
Raji quickly moved on to abandon her cub, which zoo veterinarian Dr. Chirs McKinney said is “not uncommon for first-born cubs of red pandas.”
The zoo’s veterinarian team has been bottle-feeding the cub and said that the cub was able to nurse briefly, which is key to its survival.
“The first thirty days are crucial, and the cub is being monitored and fed around the clock,” the zoo’s director Steve Lacy, said in a statement. “This adorable red panda is gaining weight appropriately, and we are excited to share this great news with the public.”
Since zoo teams are caring for the new addition, visitors might be able to get a peek at the red panda through the animal hospital’s viewing glass, but of course, its health and safety are the top priority.
“Every tiny paw step they take fills us with hope for the future of their species,” the zoo shared on social media.
Michigan’s Potter Park Zoo announces rare red panda cub, born in June
Potter Park Zoo, located in Lansing, Michigan, announced their own red panda cub, born on June 19 of this year — the third successful litter of mom Maliha and dad Degan-Reid.
During the cub’s initial wellness exam, it weighed in at 185 grams, and another checkup will be conducted in the coming weeks to determine its sex.
“Maliha is doing wonderfully as a mother. She’s very attentive and has been caring for the newborn with great dedication,” said Annie Marcum, the carnivore area lead keeper at the zoo, in a statement. “The cub is actively nursing and growing well.”
A press release about the new cub states that this birth is a milestone for Potter Park Zoo — and for the conservation efforts of the species as a whole.
Header image courtesy of Chattanooga Zoo
