Sacramento Zoo Welcome

Adorable Red Panda Cub

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: July 15, 2020 5:30 pm

Photo Credit: Sacramento Zoo

An endangered red panda has been welcomed at Sacramento Zoo. The cub was born on June 24th 2020 and is the 13th cub born at Sacramento Zoo as part of the red panda species survival plan.

Red panda, Amaya gave birth to two cubs in the early hours of the morning. Unfortunately at birth keepers determined through CCTV cameras in the den that one of the cubs was underdeveloped. While keepers and vets assessed the cub and offered assistance it unfortunately passed away.

Unfortunately red pandas have a high infant mortality rate and only 50% will reach one month old. They will spend 90 days in the den with mom before emerging. Of the 13 cubs born at Sacramento Zoo only 6 have reached adulthood.

At present the surviving cub appears healthy with keepers and vets continuing to monitor it. A couple of days after birth the cub received a neonatal exam and weighed 91g (3.2oz). Since then it has grown well and at the most recent exam weighed 200g (7oz).

Photo Credit: Sacramento Zoo

The father of the cub is called David Bowie. Currently the red panda family is housed off display with a second pair of pandas known as Phil and Takeo living on display. Sacramento Zoo is also home to the big brother of the new cub, called Gizmo.

With red panda cubs listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. Each birth is important and breeding is planned by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as part of the Species Survival Plan. Sacramento Zoo has participated in this program for over 20 years.

Sacramento Zoo also provide support for the Red Panda Network an organization which helps wild red pandas.

Learn more about the red panda here – Red Panda Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about Sacramento Zoo on their website – Sacramento Zoo