Red panda cub birth a 'symbol of hope'
'Little Red' was welcomed into the world in the early hours of 16 July.
Keepers at a Hertfordshire wildlife park are celebrating after the birth of an endangered red panda.
'Little Red' was welcomed into the world in the early hours of 16 July, one of the hottest days of the year, at Paradise Wildlife Park. The cub, whose gender will be confirmed in the coming months, was born to mum, Tilly, and dad Nam Pang, who sadly died one month ago.
Tilly and Nam Pang were part of the international breeding programme for red pandas, but despite being together for the past four years, they had sadly been unable to conceive. Red pandas are naturally solitary creatures and usually only get together during mating season.
Aaron Whitnall, star of the CBBC programme One Zoo Three, said the cub had become a "symbol of hope" for the zoo, adding that it ''creates a beautiful ending for a tragic, heartbreaking story that shocked the community".
'Little Red' is reported to be growing well and beginning to develop their colouring and markings. Red panda cubs do not start to leave their nest for around two to three months after birth, but mum Tilly continues to be spotted by her adoring fans.
Red pandas are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. There are fewer than 10,000 remaining in the wild thanks to deforestation and the illegal pet trade.
Paradise Wildlife Park works closely with the Red Panda Network to help conserve and protect the species.
Image (C) Paradise Wildlife Park/Robert Killips.
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