Endangered red panda gives birth to twin cubs at Michigan zoo. ‘Not seeing double’
A Michigan zoo is celebrating the birth of not just one — but two — red panda cubs.
“Don’t adjust your screen — you’re not seeing double. Twin red pandas have been born at the Detroit Zoo!” staff announced in a June 24 Facebook post.
These tiny cubs were born June 17 to first-time mom Ginger, 3, and 7-year-old Ravi, the zoo said.
While the twin cubs are in good health, the zoo said the first months of their life are crucial to their success. They’ll be spending their first two to three months of life away from the public to bond with their mother.
“Ginger will be caring for the cubs in a nest box that provides a secluded, quiet space for her to tend to her cubs,” according to the post. The new family will be hidden from public view to minimize the mother’s stress.
Red pandas are an endangered species, according to Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
Approximately 40% of the red panda population has declined in the last two decades, the Smithsonian said. Causes of the decline include habitat loss, human intervention and poaching.
“We hope Ginger and Ravi’s cubs will grow to be strong, healthy ambassadors for their wild counterparts, helping raise awareness of red panda conservation needs,” the zoo said.
This story was originally published June 26, 2024 at 9:41 AM with the headline "Endangered red panda gives birth to twin cubs at Michigan zoo. ‘Not seeing double’."
