Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Keepers’ surprise as routine check reveals new arrivals
Visitors to Wingham Wildlife Park will have the chance to greet its latest two unexpected arrivals, these cute baby red pandas.
Keepers making routine checks were shocked to discover their new furry friends, which marked the first time the species had given birth at the centre.
The babies of Mai Xlang, pronounced may-shan, were born on Friday, June 19, and are said to be making good progress.
Unlike their mother, their fur is greyer than the striking red of adult pandas, which are native to the Himalayas.
Park owner Tony Binskin says the new mum showed no sign of being pregnant in the weeks before giving birth.
He said: “This was a great surprise for us and they have caused a huge stir of excitement among our keepers, and management, as well for that matter.
“This is the first time we have had red panda babies here and, while it is still early days, they both look really healthy.”
Mr Binksin added the pandas’ arrival was particularly surprising, as Mai Xlang and her partner Jasper had shown no signs of being interested in breeding.
The park owner explained Jasper had now been moved to Banham Zoo as part of a breeding exchange programme, with another male red panda called Raymundo coming to Wingham, who seems to have taken to the park’s new arrivals.
Mr Binskin added: “We had not planned on breeding this species this year, and it goes to show that in the natural world timing is not always as you expect.
“Even though these two cuties were unplanned, they are certainly not going to be unwanted and are already becoming firm favourites among their keepers.”
The babies will remain at Wingham until they are old enough to be removed from their parents, at which point it will be the job of the studbook keeper to decide whether they are needed at another zoo to help further strengthen the gene pool for red pandas in European zoos.