Red panda cub born at National Zoo first in 15 years
Red panda cub fans might catch a glimpse of the latest addition to the National Zoo's family of red pandas, who was born on June 16.
Red panda cub: The red panda cub born on June 16 is seen at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington. Mother Shama gave birth to a single cub, the first for both of the zoo's red pandas and the first red panda cub born at the National Zoo in Washington in 15 years.
Mehgan Murphy/National Zoo/UPI/Newscom
Washington
A red panda cub has been born at the National Zoo in Washington for the first time in 15 years.
Skip to next paragraph
The zoo says Thursday that red panda mother Shama gave birth to a single cub on June 16. The father is 3-year-old Tate, who came to Washington last year from the Nashville Zoo.
The zoo has temporarily closed the red panda exhibit to give the mother and cub privacy. Until it reopens, visitors may be able to get a glimpse from the upper viewing area on the Asia Trail.
Red pandas are native to China, the Himalayas and Myanmar. They are an endangered species, with fewer than 2,500 left in the wild.
Shama was born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. It also had a recent red panda birth.
Related:
Become part of the Monitor community
36K on Facebook | 12K on Twitter | 2,250 on YouTube