Lincoln Park Zoo has welcomed their first ever red panda cubs and this week they received their names. Born on June 26 the cubs have been named Addison and Clark in honour of a Chicago baseball team. Sharn Zackfia, a supporter of Lincoln Park Zoo suggested the names.
“As a long-time lover of red pandas, I could not be more excited to have the honour of naming Lincoln Park Zoo’s first-ever red panda cubs,” said Zackfia. “I am so proud to be a supporter of an institution that has brought so much joy and knowledge to the families of Chicago.”
The cubs are being monitored by keepers and vets having recently received a health check.
Recently the cubs eyes have opened and they are continuing to grow having doubled in size in just the last week.
Mum Leafa and dad, Phoenix are the proud parents of the cubs. Currently Leafa is raising the cubs off exhibit while Phoenix explores the outdoor enclosure.
The cubs are thriving on mum’s milk and will soon begin to transition on to this species favourite food, bamboo.
Keepers are watching the cubs on a special den camera as mum has the cubs behind the scenes.
Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed the pair during the winter with a recommendation to breed the pair. This was decided by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.
Red pandas are classified as vulnerable to extinction in their native home of the Himalayan mountains ranging through China, Nepal, India, Burma and Bhutan.
Photo Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo
