Rare red panda cub born at Banham Zoo
The baby girl is said to be happy and healthy
Last updated 22nd Sep 2022
A rare red panda cub has been born at Banham Zoological Gardens in Norfolk.
The baby girl was found nesling with mum Mithila on the afternoon of June 28.
Mithila moved to Norfolk from a Swedish zoo to be paired with male red panda Jasper, as part of the European Breeding Programme.
Red pandas are classed as "endangered" because of habitat loss and hunting for their meat and fur.
Oliver Lewis-McDonald, Team Leader of Carnivores at Banham Zoo, said: “We are absolutely overjoyed to announce the birth of a red panda cub.
"The European Breeding Programme is instrumental in saving this endangered species, whose wild populations are believed to have decreased by 50% in less than 20 years.
“Mithila and her cub are currently being given the utmost privacy in their nest boxes. Red panda cubs usually spend their first few months hidden in the nest before going out to explore their surroundings, but in the meantime, visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of Mithila moving her precious cub between boxes.”
“Red pandas are one of our most loved species at the park, popular with visitors for their fluffy bodies and distinctive red colour.
"We are sure visitors to Banham Zoological Gardens will be delighted to see this beautiful little cub taking its first independent steps out of the nest box in the coming weeks.
“Recently the team gave this precious new arrival its first health check and we are delighted to report that we have a very healthy little female cub.”