Buffalo Zoo's 2 red panda cubs now on habitat

Buffalo Zoo press release & photo

The Buffalo Zoo’s two red panda cubs are now visible to visitors, as they have begun sharing their outdoor habitat with their mom, 3-year-old Himalaya.

The cubs, who the Buffalo Zoo is thrilled to share are both female, were born to Himalaya and dad Mogwai (5) back on June 10, and have spent the past four months growing and bonding with mom in their behind-the-scenes area. In that time, the pair developed crucial mobility and climbing skills that now enable them to confidently explore their outdoor habitat.

In order to continue acclimating the cubs to their new space, their visibility on habitat will be limited each day, with the best chance for guests to see them being in the morning and early afternoon. The Buffalo Zoo cannot guarantee that guests will see the cubs during any given visit, and their on-habitat timing is subject to change as they grow.

Red pandas are currently considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, making these cubs yet another significant conservation milestone for the Buffalo Zoo.

“We are so excited for our community to meet these two adorable red panda cubs, who are shining examples of our conservation mission at work,” said Buffalo Zoo President and CEO Lisa Smith. “Securing a brighter future for this endangered species is paramount, and the hard work of our animal care team is helping us make significant strides toward that goal. I am confident this pair of cubs will serve as integral, educational ambassadors for their wild counterparts.”

The cubs are exploring their habitat with plenty of curiosity. They already have begun climbing the trees and rocks around the space and are often not far behind mom as she does her own exploring. The pair are the 14th and 15th red panda cubs to be born at the Buffalo Zoo historically, and are the second litter born to Himalaya and Mogwai in as many years. Mogwai has been separated from Himalaya and the cubs during their early months, as red pandas are solitary animals by nature and fathers typically do not help raise their young in the wild.

Red pandas are native to Asia, specifically the forests of Nepal, Bhutan and southern China. They possess the digestive system of a carnivore, but they are practically vegetarians, eating mostly leaves, bamboo and similar greenery. While they share the name “panda” with the larger, black-and-white bears, the two species belong to entirely different animal families.

The Buffalo Zoo will provide further updates on the cubs, including naming details, in the near future. Stay tuned to the Buffalo Zoo’s social medias for the latest news.

The Buffalo Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, with last admission at 4 p.m. General admission tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.buffalozoo.org, or in-person at the front entrance gate.

More about the Buffalo Zoo: Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is a 501(c)(3) organization and the third-oldest zoo in the U.S. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors annually and is among the largest tourist attractions in Western New York. Located on 23.5 acres of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park, the venue provides interactive and educational family experiences throughout the year. As one of just over 250 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institutions around the globe, the Buffalo Zoo meets rigorous, professional standards for animal management, veterinary care, wildlife conservation and research, education, safety and staffing. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are leaders in the protection of threatened and endangered species, and are constantly working to save wildlife through Species Survival Plan (SSP) and Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs – both of which the Buffalo Zoo is prominently involved in. With a diverse collection of over 800 wild and exotic animals and more than 320 plant species, visitors are introduced to and immersed in nature each time they visit. For more information, visit http://www.buffalozoo.org.