The Lincoln Children’s Zoo has announced the birth of triplet red pandas. The two male and one female red panda cubs were born at the zoo on August 10 to third-time mom, Tián, and second-time dad, Rowan.
“Birthing triplet red panda cubs does happen, but a mom being able to raise triplets successfully is rare,” says Ruth Marcec-Greaves, Lincoln Children’s Zoo General Curator. “Tián is an experienced and attentive mom, and keepers are able to check in and weigh the cubs as needed with minimal stress, a testament to the trust built and exceptional care our team provides.”
In the wild female red pandas use tree hollows or rock crevices lined with plant material for nests. To replicate this, Zookeepers created six nest boxes behind the scenes with bamboo and wood wool inside as nesting material.
“Red pandas are an endangered species whose population has declined by 50 percent over the last 20 years,” says Lincoln Children’s Zoo CEO Evan Killeen. “The birth of these triplets is important for animal conservation efforts, and the red pandas at the Zoo help to raise awareness of the threats their counterparts face in the wild such as habitat loss.”
The cubs are not currently on display and guests will likely not see them on exhibit until December.