Two red panda cubs join Utica Zoo family

UTICA>> Two red panda cubs have joined the Utica Zoo family.

The cubs were born to Ming Yue (mother) and Muse (father) on July 14 and each weighed about 100 grams — small enough to fit in the palm of a person’s hand. Their parents were recommended to breed as part of the Red Panda Species Survival Plan. Ming Yue is two years old and has been at the zoo for one year, and Muse is four years old and has been at the zoo for three years.

Red Pandas are currently classified as vulnerable, with population numbers estimated between 10,000 and 13,000 between two subspecies. Red pandas are the only species of their kind and live in the mixed deciduous-conifer forests of the Himalayas and the major mountain ranges of southwestern China. They typically have one to three offspring and mothers spend nearly all their time in their nest area during the first several weeks after birth.

Cubs are born with their eyes closed and have no defenses. The first 30 days of life are a critical time because that is when most problems can occur; both in the wild and at zoos. The new cubs at the Utica Zoo will not be on view to the public for a minimum of 60 days, to allow Ming Yue the privacy needed to care for them.

Care for red panda cubs is much different fromother species. Hoofstock babies, like Blackbuck and Urial, are able to walk within 30 to 45 minutes of birth, and can be seen running around their exhibit in their first week. Utica Zoo continues to work closely with the SSP in order to have a successful breeding program.

Utica Zoo’s Red Panda Encounters have attracted visitors from all over the country and parts of Canada, creating a tourism boost for the Greater Utica Area. Utica Zoo is currently looking for additional donors to assist with building the red pandas a new home in the Asian Realm section of the zoo. To become a donor, corporate partner, or are interested in naming the new cubs, call Zoo Communications Coordinator Mike Beck at (315) 738-0472 Ext. 49 for additional details. Donate to their exhibit can also be given through uticazoo.org/donate.

To stay up to date on all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @UticaZoo.

One of the red panda cubs born to Ming Yue and Muse at the Utica Zoo.

PHOTOS COURTESY UTICA ZOO Muse, a red panda adult male. He is the father of two new red panda cubs at the Utica Zoo.